Feb. 19, 2006
SHREVEPORT, La. - After posting its fourth-highest score in school history in defeating LSU on Friday, the Tigers showed no signs of a let down as they recorded their second-highest score of the year with a 195.850-188.350 victory over Centenary on Sunday at the Gold Dome.
Auburn (7-7, 1-3 SEC), who led the meet wire-to-wire, outscored the Centenary (5-5) in every event and took the individual crowns in all four events and the all-around. En route to the victory, the Tigers matched the fifth-highest score in school history on vault (49.200) and the seventh-highest mark all-time on beam (49.225).
"Any time you compete following a big emotional win, the challenge for the coaching staff is to keep the team motivated and focused on the task at hand," head coach Jeff Thompson said. "We came out a little flat today on uneven bars, but rebounded with great vaulting. We were a little flat on floor, but were able to rock balance beam to finish the meet.
"All in all, we accomplished our goal of posting two great road scores and come home with the bonus of a remarkable win at LSU too.
Individually, Lindsey Puckett won her first all-around title by posting the second-highest total of her career with a 39.250.
"We knew it was just a matter of time before Lindsey got her first all-around victory," Thompson said. "She has been super-consistent over the past few weeks and that consistency has turned into greater self confidence and a more determined will to win."
Julie Dwyer moved her individual win total on the year to 14, with victories on vault (9.875) and beam (9.925). For the first time since Feb. 18, 2005 vs. Oklahoma, Dwyer did not compete in the all-around competition. Dwyer did not compete on floor after the Tigers had secured a team score of 48.700.
In just her second meet back from a leg injury, A.J. Mills won her first event title with a career-best 9.900 on bars. Mills' score was a season high for Auburn and matched the 10th-highest score in school history.
Claire Seiffert won the first event title of her career with a career-high score of 9.825 on floor.
With the win over Centenary, Thompson moved to 19-1 in non-conference dual meets.
Opening on bars, Auburn posted a 48.650. Pacing the Tigers on bars was A.J. Mills, who notched a career-high score and season-high score for Auburn with a 9.900. Mills' score tied for the 10th highest in school history with six other gymnasts. Lindsey Puckett matched her career high with a 9.850. Puckett also scored a 9.850 at the Super Six Challenge. Aimee Goheen matched her score on Friday at LSU with another 9.825. Performing second, Julie Dwyer also matched her score at LSU with another 9.775. Shanna Somero led off the event for the Tigers with a 9.300.
Auburn led Centenary after the first rotation 49.200-47.450.
Just two days after setting a new school record with a 49.375 on vault at LSU, the Tigers almost had a repeat performance, as they tied the fifth-highest score in school history with a 49.200. Auburn was led by Dwyer, who anchored the lineup with a 9.875. Karmen Pinckney and Lindsey Puckett each posted 9.850s. Pinckney's score tied a season high. Kayla Gies scored a 9.825 and Danielle Holtz tied her season high with a 9.800.
Following the second rotation, the Tigers expanded their lead to 97.850-93.900.
In the third rotation on floor, Auburn scored a 48.700. Performing second, Claire Seiffert posted a career-best 9.825 to lead the Tigers. Puckett notched a 9.800 in the fifth spot of the lineup. Karmen Pinckney posted her second-highest score of the season with a 9.775. Performing fourth, Nicole Barnett scored a 9.700. Danielle Holtz opened the event for the Tigers with a 9.675.
At the conclusion of the third rotation, Auburn held a 146.625-140.825 lead over the Ladies.
Competing on beam in the fourth and final rotation, Auburn sealed the victory with a season-high 49.225. The score for the Tigers' is seventh-highest score in school history and highest score since Auburn scored a 49.350 on April 2, 2004 at the Central Regional. Julie Dwyer paced the Tigers with 9.925 to tie her career high. Shanna Somero led off for the Tigers and matched her career-high with a 9.850. Also setting a career high with a 9.850 was Lenkiewicz, who topped her previous high of 9.700. Performing fourth for the Tigers, Lindsey Puckett scored a 9.850, which tied for her second-highest score of the year. Nicole Barnett notched a career-high score of 9.750, topping the 9.675 she scored vs. North Carolina and Iowa on March 12, 2005. Kayla Gies scored a 9.650
Auburn returns to action on Friday, Feb. 24, when the Tigers host No. 1 Georgia at 7 p.m.
Rotation 1
Bars - 48.650
A.J. Mills, 9.900; Lindsey Puckett, 9.850; Aimee Goheen, 9.825; Julie Dwyer, 9.775; Shanna Somero, 9.300; Alicia Lenkiewicz, 9.225
Rotation 2
Vault - 49.200
Julie Dwyer, 9.875; Lindsey Puckett, 9.850; Karmen Pinckney, 9.850; Kayla Gies, 9.825; Danielle Holtz, 9.800; Claire Seiffert, 9.750
Rotation 3
Floor - 48.700
Claire Seiffert, 9.825; Lindsey Puckett, 9.800; Karmen Pinckney, 9.775; Nicole Barnett, 9.700; Danielle Holtz, 9.675; Megan Hill, 8.250
Rotation 4
Beam - 49.225
Julie Dwyer, 9.925; Lindsey Puckett, 9.850; Alicia Lenkiewicz, 9.850; Shanna Somero, 9.850; Nicole Barnett, 9.750; Kayla Gies, 9.650