March 4, 2011
PROVO, Utah - The No. 22 Auburn gymnastics team (4-5, 2-4 SEC) defeated No. 25 BYU (10-4-2), 195.000-194.675, Friday night at the Smith Fieldhouse. The Tigers picked up their first road win of the season in the first meet of a two-meet road trip. The meet marked the first time this season that Auburn hit 24-of-24 routines.
"We went on the road and beat a team that is very competitive," Auburn head coach Jeff Graba said. "They beat Arkansas in Fayetteville and I think that says a lot about our grit and determination. It is a pretty big accomplishment for this group.
"We thought we did a good job. I like the fact that we hit 24-for-24. We still weren't as sharp as we like we would like to be. On floor, we stepped out twice. I think we were having trouble with floor. It's quite bouncy here so we actually had a little too much pop which I guess is a good problem to have. We did hit 24-for-24. That is the first time we have done that all year. We won the meet so I think there are a lot of good things to take out of this."
The Tigers began the meet on the uneven bars and posted a 48.650. Juniors Allyson Sandusky and Kylie Shields led Auburn on the event, each earning scores of 9.800. Senior Leah Vining added a 9.750, while sophomore all-arounder Toi Garcia scored a 9.700. Sophomore Petrina Yokay earned a 9.600, and freshman Abbey Habicht contributed a 9.575.
Auburn looked to pick up some momentum on vault, coming off a season-high 49.125 last week at home. The Tigers put together a strong routine, with all six gymnasts earning a 9.725 or better. Garcia anchored the event and led the team with a 9.825, her fifth score of 9.800 or better on vault this season. Junior Justine Foster contributed a 9.775, and senior Lauren Brzostowski posted a 9.750. Yokay, Sandusky and Shields rounded out the event, each earning scores of 9.725. Auburn finished with a team score 48.800.
The Tigers moved to floor exercise on the third rotation and put together another strong performance, posting their highest team score of the night with a 48.850. Foster led with a career-high 9.825, and senior Rachel Inniss earned a 9.800. Garcia scored a 9.775, while Yokay added a 9.750. Junior Laura Lane posted a 9.700, and Brzostowski completed the group with a 9.675.
Auburn closed out the night on beam with a 48.700. Shields led the Tigers with a 9.825, followed by a 9.800 from Inniss. Habicht earned a 9.775, and Brzostowski posted a 9.750. Sandusky scored a 9.550, while Garcia finished with a 9.525 and an all-around score of 38.825.
"I feel like the team did a really good job getting a good road score even with the tight scoring," senior Lauren Brzostowski said. "We had great energy, and we hit our goal tonight of 24-for-24 for the first time this season."
The Tigers return to action Monday night as they travel to Cedar City, Utah, to take on Southern Utah and BYU in a tri-meet hosted by Southern Utah. The meet is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. CT.
For more information, contact Erica Dalton at 334-844-9800.
Bars Leah Vining - 9.750 Toi Garcia - 9.700 Abbey Habicht - 9.575 Petrina Yokay - 9.600 Allyson Sandusky - 9.800 Kylie Shields - 9.800 Total: 48.650
Vault Petrina Yokay - 9.725 Allyson Sandusky - 9.725 Lauren Brzostowski - 9.750 Kylie Shields - 9.725 Justine Foster - 9.775 Toi Garcia - 9.825 Total: 48.800
Floor Lauren Brzostowski - 9.675 Petrina Yokay - 9.750 Laura Lane - 9.700 Justine Foster - 9.825 (career high) Toi Garcia - 9.775 Rachel Inniss - 9.800 Total: 48.850
Beam Lauren Brzostowski - 9.750 Toi Garcia - 9.525 Abbey Habicht - 9.775 Allyson Sandusky - 9.550 Rachel Inniss - 9.800 Kylie Shields - 9.825 Katie Hurley (Exh.) - 8.450 Total: 48.700
All-Around Toi Garcia - 38.825 (season high)