March 9, 2007
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -
The No. 16 Auburn Tigers dropped a tightly contested meet to No. 20 Illinois, 195.975-195.775 on Friday at Huff Auditorium in Champaign, Illinois.
This marks this fifth time in six meets that the Tigers' opponent recorded a season high.
"We accomplished one goal by not counting a fall," head coach Jeff Thompson said. "However, we put ourselves under pressure in three of the four events with falls early in the line up. We are leaning towards putting in our most consistent gymnasts, regardless of score potential, in order to hit all 24 routines on Sunday."
Individually, junior Julie Dwyer won her fourth all-around of the season with a 39.300, while also finishing first on beam (9.925), and second on bars (9.850) and vault (9.850). The Bloomington, Ind., native has now won 16 individual titles in 2007.
Sophomore Lindsey Puckett tied for second on vault (9.875) and tied for third on bars (9.825). Sophomore A.J. Mills placed in a tie for second in the all around with a 39.225. She also finished in a tie for third on bars (9.825) and floor (9.775). Freshman Carmen Nelms tied for second on vault with her season high score of 9.875.
The Tigers opened the meet on bars with a score of 49.025, its second highest score of the season. Dwyer led the way with a 9.850, tying her second highest score of the year. Puckett followed with a 9.825, tying her highest output of the season, while A.J. Mills recorded her second highest with a 9.825 as well. Aimee Goheen totaled a 9.800 on her first bar routine of the year, and Alicia Lenkiewicz registered a 9.700.
With the Tigers trailing 49.075-49.025, AU posted a a season high score of 49.250 on vault. Puckett recorded her second highest score of the year, while Nelms posted a season high, as both scored a 9.875. Dwyer followed with a 9.85, Pinckney totaled a 9.825 and Mills and Claire Seiffert each had a 9.800.
Heading into the third rotation, Auburn had taken the lead 98.250-198.175. The Tigers struggled on floor with a 48.700 after a Pinckney fall and a step out by Dwyer. Nelms posted a 9.800,while Mills totaled a 9.775. Puckett and Seiffert each scored a 9.725, and Dwyer ended up with a 9.675.
In the fourth and final rotation, the Tigers needed to make up .325 points, trailing 147.275-146.950. They scored a 48.875 with Dwyer leading the way with a 9.925, her second highest score of the year. Mills followed her with a 9.825, while Somero totlaed a 9.725. Nelms registered a 9.700, and Alicia Lenkiewicz totaled a 9.600.
Auburn will continue its road trip in Illinois as it faces Illinois-Chicago on Sunday at 2 p.m.