March 29, 2008
Duluth, Ga. - Auburn gymnast Lindsey Puckett was named Co-SEC Gymnast of the Year and Jeff Thompson was named Co-Coach of the Year as the Auburn gymnastics team finished in fifth place scoring 196.100 at the Southeastern Conference Championship Friday in Duluth, Ga.
Auburn's score marks the highest the Tigers have scored at the Championship since 1986. Puckett's nomination marks the fourth consecutive year Auburn has picked up and SEC award.
"Jeff told me that I had been nominated, but I had no idea that I would get it," Puckett, a Lilburn, Ga., native, said. "This is even better being in my home in front of my family and friends."
Thompson, who was named along with Suzanne Yoculan of Georgia and Mark Cook of Arkansas, earns this honor for the second time in his career. His first nod came in 2003.
"I am in tremendous company," Thompson said. "I am completely flattered, but I am no different than the coach I was last year. It is my team who won this award for Auburn."
Georgia won the meet scoring 197.350. Alabama and Florida tied for second scoring 197.325. Louisiana State came in fourth scoring 196.500. Arkansas and Kentucky placed sixth and seventh scoring 194.650 and 194.925, respectively
"What can I say? We had a great meet tonight," Thompson said. "The team did exactly what we asked of them, hitting all 24 routines for the second week in-a-row in a very fun and exciting competition."
Auburn started off strong on beam and headed into their first bye with a 49.000. Julie Dwyer and Puckett led the Tigers, each scoring 9.850 on beam. Freshman Katie Hurley followed scoring 9.800. Kayla Gies and A.J. Mills each scored 9.750 and Krissy Voss scored 9.650.
After a bye the Tigers returned to the Arena to compete floor. Auburn scored 49.025, with Puckett leading the Tigers scoring 9.875. Dwyer followed with a 9.850. Claire Seiffert and Mills scored a pair of 9.800's. Hurley led the Tigers off scoring a 9.725, which Freshman Rachel Inniss scored as well.
The Tigers headed to vault and scored 49.025. Dwyer and Puckett each scored 9.900, followed by Gies with a 9.800. Mills scored 9.750 followed by Voss and Seiffert each scoring 9.675.
Auburn finished the meet with a solid 49.050 on bars. Dwyer led the pack scoring 9.850, followed by Mills who scored 9.825. Puckett and Aimee Goheen both scored 9.800's. Krissy Voss scored 9.775 followed by Kayla Gies scoring 9.750.
"Tonight is also very important in our national standing," Thompson said. "We determined before the meet began that scoring 196.05 would not be good enough to move up to number 12. We needed a 196.100 to move ahead of Denver. The look of excitement on their faces when the final showed we had done just that was amazing."
Following tonight's competition, college gymnastics teams around the nation will patiently await the announcement of regional site placement, which will be made at 4 p.m., CT, on Monday, March 31. The six regional hosts are Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Oregon State and Penn State.
The top 18 teams in the country are seeded based on their ranking. The other 36 teams are seeded based on their regions. The top two teams from each of those sites will advance to the NCAA Championships on April 24, in Athens, Ga.
Team Results
1. Georgia: 197.350
2. Alabama: 197.325
2. Florida: 197.325
4. LSU: 196.500
5. Auburn: 196.100
6. Arkansas: 195.550
7. Kentucky: 194.025
Auburn Results
Auburn Vault: 49.025
Claire Seiffert: 9.675
A.J. Mills: 9.750
Kayla Gies: 9.800
Krissy Voss: 9.675
Lindsey Puckett: 9.900
Julie Dwyer: 9.900
Auburn Bars: 49.050
Kayla Gies: 9.750
Krissy Voss: 9.775
Lindsey Puckett: 9.800
Aimee Goheen: 9.800
A.J. Mills: 9.825
Julie Dwyer: 9.850
Auburn Beam: 49.000
Kayla Gies: 9.750
Krissy Voss: 9.650
Katie Hurley: 9.800
Lindsey Puckett: 9.850
A.J. Mills: 9.750
JA.J. Mills: 9.800
Rachel Inniss: 9.725
Julie Dwyer: 9.825
Lindsey Puckett: 9.875