Jan. 18, 2013
ATHENS, Ga. - No. 24 Auburn gymnastics posted a season-high score of 195.700 on Friday night in SEC action in Stegeman Coliseum as the host Gym Dogs scored 196.050.
"Our goal was to come in and be consistent," Auburn gymnastics head coach Jeff Graba said. "We started out strong. Bars and vault went really well for us. We went to floor and had to make a lineup change. In the past, that would've given us problems. They weren't perfect, but they really handled it well. I was excited about that.
"Then, we went to beam and faced a little adversity there, but finished strong. It's a tremendous step for this team. Twenty three out of 24 is better."
Auburn opened up with a fury posting a total of 49.125 on uneven bars in the first rotation. The total was the top bars score this season for the Tigers and the overall top event score of the season. Caitlin Atkinson led the way with a score of 9.875, equaling her own season high score. Petrina Yokay added a 9.85 and the Tigers didn't count a score lower than 9.8.
Bri Guy (9.875) and Toi Garcia (9.85) led the way on vault in rotation two with season-best scores. Yokay added a 9.8. Despite a total of 49.000 for Auburn, Georgia had a strong rotation and widened its lead out to more than four tenths with a 49.400 on bars, its highest rotation total of the season. After two rotations, Auburn trailed 98.550-98.125.
As the visitor, Auburn moved to floor for the third rotation and posted a season-best score for the event, 48.800. The Tigers were able to make up three tenths on Georgia (48.500) after the home team was forced to count a fall on balance beam. Guy led the way with a season-best 9.9. With one rotation remaining, Auburn trailed by just one and one-quarter tenths, 147.050-146.925.
Guy's total on floor was her seventh career routine with a score of 9.9 or higher.
The Tigers closed things out on balance beam as Yokay led off with a 9.775 and followed up with a career-best 9.875 by Megan Walker. Atkinson closed out the beam lineup for the Tigers with a score of 9.85 as Auburn scored 48.800 overall on the apparatus.
Atkinson (39.250) bested teammate Guy (38.800) in the all-around with a new career-high total and her first career title.
Auburn is in action next on Friday, January 25, in Gainesville, Fla. in a showdown with the Gators.
RESULTS
Vault: Kait Kluz - 9.7, Brittany Webster - 9.7, Petrina Yokay - 9.8, Bri Guy - 9.875, Toi Garcia - 9.85, Caitlin Atkinson - 9.775, TOTAL - 49.000
Bars: Kait Kluz - 9.75, Bri Guy - 9.8, Abbey Habicht - 9.8, Megan Walker - 9.8, Caitlin Atkinson - 9.875, Petrina Yokay - 9.85, TOTAL - 49.125
Beam: Petrina Yokay - 9.775, Caryn Kadous - 9.55, Abbey Habicht - 9.725, Bri Guy - 9.225, Megan Walker - 9.875, Caitlin Atkinson - 9.85, TOTAL - 48.800
Floor: Kait Kluz - 9.625, Toi Garcia - 9.75, Caryn Kadous - 9.375, Brittany Webster - 9.775, Caitlin Atkinson - 9.75, Bri Guy - 9.900, TOTAL - 48.800
All-Around: Caitlin Atkinson - 39.250, Bri Guy - 38.800