Jan. 6, 2013
BERKELEY, Calif. - Auburn posted a total score of 194.625 on Sunday afternoon as it finished fourth in a quad-meet at the University of California with Kentucky and Arizona in the season opener for all four schools.
The host Golden Bears from Cal finished in first place with a total of 195.425, while Kentucky was second (195.125) and Arizona was third with a 194.825 total score.
"We had to learn something from tonight," Auburn gymnastics coach Jeff Graba said. "Even some of the girls returning are in different roles then they've had in the past. I feel like we learned alot. We made a lot of changes. The team dealt with a lot of adversity. That's a positive. We also had some negatives. We will get back in the gym and get better before the home opener."
Auburn was forced to count a fall by Bri Guy. The Tigers did get big routines from Brittany Webster and Caitlin Atkinson as it posted a total score of 48.375 on floor exercise. In just her third routine of her collegiate career, Lexus Demers added a 9.8 to open the meet.
The Tigers bounced back with a big score on vault, posting a 49.075, while also making up some ground in the standings. With the total, Auburn moved from third to second in the quad meet. That score is higher than all but two meets for Auburn in 2012. Leading the charge were senior Toi Garcia with a 9.825 and the freshman Atkinson with a 9.875. Another senior, Petrina Yokay, also added a strong 9.825.
Kluz came through with a 9.775 to lead off bars and get Auburn started. Guy followed up with a career high 9.875 which was followed by Abbey Habicht's total of 9.825. Yokay added a 9.85, but the Tigers were forced to count Atkinson's 9.45 for a total of 48.775.
Auburn struggled through the first two routines of the final rotation - balance beam. The Tigers rebounded with a strong performance by Habicht (9.825) and a crucial 9.825 from Megan Walker. The Houston-native Atkinson posted a 9.85, and then Guy wrapped the rotation with a 9.7 as Auburn totaled 48.45 to finish the meet.
Atkinson totaled 39.050 in the all-around, while Guy posted a total score of 38.550 on all four events.
The Tigers are in action next on Friday, January 11, in Auburn Arena in the home and SEC opener with Kentucky. For the latest on Auburn gymnastics, follow @AUGymnastics on Twitter.
Results
Floor
Kait Kluz - 9.625, Brittany Webster - 9.85, Lexus Demers - 9.8, Toi Garcia - 9.1, Caitlin Atkinson - 9.875, Bri Guy - 9.175, TOTAL - 48.325
Vault
Kait Kluz - 9.725, Brittany Webster - 9.75, Petrina Yokay - 9.825, Bri Guy - 9.8, Toi Garcia - 9.825, Caitlin Atkinson - 9.875, TOTAL - 49.075
Bars
Kait Kluz - 9.775, Bri Guy - 9.875, Abbey Habicht - 9.825, Caitlin Atkinson - 9.45, Petrina Yokay - 9.85, Megan Walker - 9.175, TOTAL - 48.775
Beam
Petrina Yokay - 9.275, Caryn Kadous - 8.450, Abbey Habicht - 9.8, Megan Walker - 9.825, Caitlin Atkinson - 9.85, Bri Guy - 9.7, TOTAL - 48.45