March 7, 2011
CEDAR CITY, Utah - The 24th-ranked Auburn gymnastics team (5-6, 2-4 SEC) was edged by host Southern Utah University, 195.475-195.425, but defeated BYU for the second time in four days, 195.425-194.250, Monday night at the Centrum Arena. Southern Utah improved to 8-5, while BYU fell to 10-6-2.
"I thought we were pretty good tonight," Auburn head coach Jeff Graba said. "At the end of a five-day road trip, I thought we had a lot of energy. We were 23-for-24 and I feel like we are more consistent now. I think we are going in the right direction. I am extremely proud of where we are at right now. We have got to polish-up and clean up the little things. We have an opportunity to do that Friday night."
Kylie Shields took home the all-around title in her first appearance this season. Shields earned a career-high 39.300 after posting a 9.775 or better on each event.
"After being taken out on floor Friday night and coming back tonight with one of my highest scores, it feels really good," Shields said. "It was a confidence booster. I really liked the environment and having three teams was really fun. It's not what you see every day, and there was more energy."
Sophomore Toi Garcia also competed in the all-around for Auburn and posted her highest score of the season, 38.950.
"I am happy about getting into the all-around and am looking forward to making more and more progress every meet," Garcia said.
The Tigers began the night on bars and posted a season-high 49.050. It marked the first time this season Auburn broke the 49.000 barrier after several close calls, including three scores of 48.950. Juniors Allyson Sandusky and Kylie Shields, and sophomore Petrina Yokay led Auburn on the event, each posting scores of 9.825. Sophomore Toi Garcia added a career-high 9.800, and true freshman Abbey Habicht earned a career-high 9.775 in what was only her third appearance on the event.
For the first time this season, the Tigers went to beam for the second rotation due to the tri-meet format. Shields anchored on beam and led Auburn with a 9.875 to take the individual title. Senior Rachel Inniss posted a 9.850, marking her eighth score of 9.850 or better in 10 meets so far this season. Senior Lauren Brzostowski earned a 9.725, and Habicht added a 9.625. In her third appearance on beam this season, Garcia scored a career-high 9.600 as part of her third all-around meet. The Tigers finished with a 48.675 on beam.
Auburn moved to floor on the third event and put together a solid rotation with a team score 48.950. Inniss led the Tigers with a 9.875, and Shields followed with a 9.825 in her first appearance on floor this season and also as part of her first season appearance in the all-around. Junior Justine Foster added a 9.800, and Brzostowski and Garcia each posted scores of 9.725.
The Tigers closed out a close meet on vault and posted a 48.750. Garcia led Auburn with a 9.825, and Shields added a 9.775. Foster earned a 9.750, while Brzostowski, Sandusky and Yokay each scored a 9.700.
Auburn returns home to host its last regular season meet against Southeast Missouri State Friday at the Auburn Arena at 7 p.m. CT.
Bars Abbey Habicht - 9.775 (career high) Toi Garcia - 9.800 (career high) Leah Vining - 8.725 Petrina Yokay - 9.825 Allyson Sandusky - 9.825 Kylie Shields - 9.825 Kareen Kaveh (Exh.) - 9.725 Total: 49.050 (season high)
Beam Lauren Brzostowski - 9.725 Toi Garcia - 9.600 (career high) Abbey Habicht - 9.625 Allyson Sandusky - 9.575 Rachel Inniss - 9.850 Kylie Shields - 9.875 Total: 48.675
Floor Lauren Brzostowski - 9.725 Laura Lane - 9.550 Kylie Shields - 9.825 (season high, first appearance) Justine Foster - 9.800 Toi Garcia - 9.725 Rachel Inniss - 9.875 Total: 48.950
Vault Petrina Yokay - 9.700 Allyson Sandusky - 9.700 Lauren Brzostowski - 9.700 Kylie Shields - 9.775 Justine Foster - 9.750 Toi Garcia - 9.825 Total: 48.750
All-Around Toi Garcia - 38.950 (career high) Kylie Shields - 39.300 (career high)