Feb. 29, 2008
Auburn, Ala. - Auburn junior A.J. Mills captured her first all-around title of the season with two first place finishes as Auburn (5-6, 0-6 SEC) defeated Illinois (2-9, 0-4 Big Ten) 195.825-193.225.
"We are really proud of the way the team competed this evening," said Auburn head coach Jeff Thompson. "We came away with an excellent home score and renewed confidence heading into a tough road meet at No. 13 Denver on Sunday."
Mills placed first on floor with a career-high 9.900. She claimed the uneven bars title with a 9.875. Mills placed third on vault and beam.
"Tonight was a true group effort with A.J. Mills shining as our brightest star," Thompson said. "It's great to know that we have four different individuals in (Krissy) Voss, Mills, (Lindsey) Puckett and (Julie) Dwyer that can lead the rest of the team, although our event specialists were the reason we did so well tonight."
Auburn was in a tight race with the Illini after the first rotations of vault and bars. Auburn led Illinois in the vault competition 48.925-48.775. Puckett tied for first place on vault scoring 9.850. Mills placed third with a 9.825. Auburn and Illinois tied bars, each scoring 48.950. Senior Julie Dwyer tied for second with 9.825.
The Tigers pulled away from the Illini for good after their 49.950 beam performance. Puckett scored 9.850, tying for first place. Dwyer tied with teammate Mills for third scoring 9.800.
Auburn's next meet will be Denver, Colo., on Sunday, March 2, at 3 p.m. CT., as the Tigers take on the No. 13 Denver Pioneers. Following, Auburn will travel to Norman, Okla., on March 7, to take on Oklahoma State.
Auburn will return to the Plains on March 14 to host Michigan State for Senior Night, where Auburn will honor its four seniors, Dwyer, Kayla Gies, Aimee Goheen and Karmen Pinckney.
Auburn Results
Auburn Vault: 48.925
Claire Seiffert: 9.750
A.J. Mills: 9.825
Lauren Brzostowski: 9.750
Krissy Voss: 9.750
Lindsey Puckett: 9.850
Julie Dwyer: 9.225
Auburn Bars: 48.850
Kayla Gies: 9.650
Krissy Voss: 9.675
Lindsey Puckett: 9.750
Aimee Goheen: 9.725
A.J Mills: 9.875
Julie Dwyer: 9.825
Auburn Beam: 48.950
Kayla Gies: 9.700
Krissy Voss: 9.775
Katie Hurley: 9.725
Lindsey Puckett: 9.850
A.J. Mills: 9.800
Julie Dwyer: 9.800
Auburn Floor: 49.100
Claire Seiffert: 9.775
Krissy Voss: 9.750
A.J. Mills: 9.90
Rachel Inniss: 9.825
Lindsey Puckett: 8.725
Julie Dwyer: 9.850
Illinois Results
Illinois Vault: 48.775
Laura Woolf: 9.475
Melissa Fernandez: 9.650
Nicole Cowart: 9.700
Michelle McGrady: 9.775
Allison Buckley: 9.800
Lindsey Smith: 9.850
Illinois Bars: 48.850
Krystal Melcarek: 9.675
Marijka Botterman: 8.550
Julie Crall: 9.750
Sarah Schmidt: 9.825
Allison Buckley: 9.800
Nicole Cowart: 9.800
Illinois Beam: 47.225
Nicole Cowart: 9.700
Melissa Fernandez: 8.775
Lashlee Morris: 9.800
Michelle McGrady: 8.450
Allison Buckley: 9.100
Julie Crall: 9.850
Illinois Floor: 48.375
Samantha Perino: 8.875
Lindsey Smith: 9.650
Lashlee Morris: 9.750
Sarah Schmidt: 9.825
Nicole Cowart: 9.850
Allison Buckley: 9.300