March 6, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The eighth-ranked Auburn gymnastics team saw consistent scores from top to bottom Friday night, as the Tigers defeated Michigan State 196.575-195.275 in Jension Fieldhouse. The Tigers matched their season-high score, recorded their highest score on floor and captured three event titles. Auburn improved to 6-4, 3-3 SEC with Friday night's win, while Michigan State slipped to 8-11, 1-6 Big 10.
"We accomplished our goal of once again being very consistent minimized mistakes and came away with not only a great road score, but we tied our highest score of the season," head gymnastics coach Jeff Thompson said. "After our final warm up on beam, we came out of the locker room and everyone was just a little nervous about how the meet would unfold.
"We started on bars with some routines that did not have their characteristic zing," Thompson said. "They looked like they were a little scared and trying not to fall. We rebounded on vault with a great team performance. Our floor routines were the best this season and our girls on beam came through with excellent routines under pressure to close out the meet."
Puckett won her fifth all-around title by matching her career-high score of 39.550, claimed her fifth vault title of her senior campaign by earning her third 9.95 of the season and won her fifth floor crown on a 9.9. Mills captured her fourth bars title this season and 10th of her career.
Anchoring the bars lineup, Mills was the Tigers top-scorer in the first rotation by matching her career high of 9.9. Puckett earned a 9.825 and freshman Allyson Sandusky followed with a 9.8, as Auburn combined for a 48.950 on bars.
Michigan State registered a 48.675 in its first rotation on vault.
Auburn had five gymnasts score a 9.8 or higher en route to a 49.250, led by Puckett's 9.95 as the event anchor. Sandusky got things started with a 9.8 and Voss mirrored that score as the third vaulter. Senior Claire Seiffert registered her season best score of 9.825. Mills followed up with a 9.875, as the senior trio of Puckett, Mills and Seiffert swept the top three spots on vault.
The Spartans moved to bars in the second rotation and posted a 48.475.
In the third rotation, the Tigers moved to their strongest event to score a season-high 49.325 on floor. Carmen Nelms opened with a 9.825 and Seiffert matched her career-high of 9.85 as the second competitor. Rachel Inniss and Mills provided back-to-back 9.875s and Puckett closed out floor with a 9.9.
MSU totaled a 48.975 on beam. With one rotation to go, Auburn held a 147.525-146.125 advantage.
Auburn had four gymnasts receive scores of 9.8 or better in the final rotation on beam. Inniss, the third beam worker, gave the Tigers a 9.825, before Kylie Shields and Mills posted back-to-back 9.8s. Puckett earned a 9.875 as the final competitor.
Michigan State capped off the meet with a 49.150 on floor.
Auburn will return home to Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum for the final home meet and senior night as the Tigers host Ohio State at 7 p.m.
Uneven Bars - 48.950
Kylie Shields - 9.675
Carmen Nelms - 9.75
Allyson Sandusky - 9.8
Kendall Swartz - 9.625
Lindsey Puckett - 9.825
A.J. Mills - 9.9
Vault - 49.250
Allyson Sandusky - 9.8
Kylie Shields - 9.75
Krissy Voss - 9.8
Claire Seiffert - 9.825
A.J. Mills - 9.875
Lindsey Puckett - 9.95
Floor Exercise - 49.325
Carmen Nelms - 9.825
Claire Seiffert - 9.85
Krissy Voss - 9.775
Rachel Inniss - 9.875
A.J. Mills - 9.875
Lindsey Puckett - 9.9
Beam - 49.050
Lauren Brzostowski - 9.75
Krissy Voss - 9.325
Rachel Inniss - 9.825
Kylie Shields - 9.8
A.J. Mills - 9.8
Lindsey Puckett - 9.875
All-Around