Jan. 12, 2007
|AUBURN -
For the first time since 2003, the Auburn gymnastics team moved to 3-1 overall with a 194.375-192.075 victory over NC State on Friday at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum.
"We looked much better tonight," head coach Jeff Thompson said. "A.J. Mills really turned it around this week and looked great. Physically we are ready to compete, we just need to work on our mental mistakes."
Junior Julie Dwyer earned her 15th career all-around title after totaling a 39.150. The Bloomington, Ind., native also took first on beam, second on floor and vault, and third on bars.
Sophomore Lindsey Puckett had a solid performance, finishing second with a 38.900. She won the vault, tied for first with Mills on bars and placed second on beam. Mills also took first on floor, helping her place third in the all-around with a 38.750.
The Tigers opened the dual meet on vault, scoring a 48.725, and finishing with the top-three individual scores. Leading the way for the Tigers was Puckett, who finished with a 9.850, which was .025 higher than at the Cancun Classic. Julie Dwyer vaulted a 9.800, while A.J. Mills totaled a new high 9.750. Kayla Gies scored a 9.700 and Shanna Somero finished with a 9.625.
On the second rotation, leading 48.725-48.400, AU scored a 48.725 on bars. Once again, Auburn took the top-three individual spots, led by Puckett and Mills, who recorded a pair of 9.775's. Dwyer reeled in a 9.750, with Krissy Voss totaling a season high 9.725. Alicia Lenkiewicz, who led off for the Tigers, scored .025 better than in Cancun with a 9.700.
Leading 97.450-96.800, the Tigers headed into the third rotation where they scored a season high 48.650. Dwyer led the way on beam with a 9.875, followed by Puckett's season-best 9.850 to take the two top spots on the night. Gies scored a 9.750, while Voss totaled a season high 9.700 in her second beam appearance as a Tiger. Mills pulled in the last score for AU with a 9.475.
Auburn headed into the final rotation with a commanding 146.100-144.125 lead. They sealed the win by taking the top-four spots on floor, including Mills' meet-leading 9.750. Dwyer secured her all-around victory with a 9.725, while Carmen Nelms totaled a 9.700. Claire Seiffert recorded a 9.675 for the fourth-highest score, and Puckett rounded out the scoring with a 9.425.
Auburn will remain at home to open SEC action, hosting Kentucky (0-1, 0-1 SEC) on Friday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear pink as a part of Hunt for the Cure, supporting breast cancer awareness. The first 500 fans will receive a pink camouflage drink hugger courtesy of Regions Bank.