No. 9 Auburn scores 196.325 in loss at No. 22 Kentucky

March 6, 2015



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By Ethan Brady

LEXINGTON, Ky. - No. 9 Auburn gymnastics was able to increase its Regional Qualifying Score in its 196.575-196.325 defeat at No. 22 Kentucky in Memorial Coliseum on Friday. Caitlin Atkinson earned her sixth straight all-around with a 39.575, her second-highest total in her career.

"We weren't very good at all tonight," head coach Jeff Graba said. "We stepped around on almost every landing tonight with a couple of sticks. We weren't very sharp the whole night. We were kind of flat, and Kentucky was on fire. They stuck near everything they landed and gave us their best shot. Congratulations to them."

A team total of 49.375 on floor gave the Tigers their second-highest total on the event this season. Atkinson led the team with a 9.950, earning the event title. Kullen Hlawek also earned a career-high 9.875.

The Tigers scored their third-highest vault total of the season with a 49.275. Atkinson and Lexus Demers shared the event title with scores of 9.900, giving Demers her fourth vault title of the year and Atkinson her second.

On beam, Auburn had to count a fall giving them a team total of 48.700.

"Everyone pushed a little bit , and we wobbled some," Graba said. "This is a tough place to compete. There's not too much energy in the arena and again this is our second snow storm that we've had to generate our own energy, and we just didn't do enough tonight."

In the first rotation, Auburn scored a team total 48.975 on bars led by Atkinson. Her score of 9.850 earned the event title.

"We still scored a little bit better, so we still improve our away score," Graba said. "We have to do a better job Sunday. The team needs a little bit of fire underneath them, and I'm hoping this fire warms them up a little bit so we can come out of the tunnel storming on Sunday afternoon."

Auburn will face No. 6 Alabama Sunday at 3 p.m. in Birmingham in the Elevate The Stage Gymnastics Meet at Legacy Arena.

Single home meet ticket prices are $3 for groups of 15 or more, $5 and $8 general admission, and Auburn University students are free with Ignited Card.

Tickets to the NCAA Regional at Auburn Arena on April 4 at 6 p.m. are on sale now as general admission tickets are $5 and reserved tickets are $8. Go to AubTix.comfor regular season and NCAA Regional ticket information.

For the latest updates on Auburn Gymnastics, follow the Tigers on Twitter, @Auburn_Gym or likehttps://www.facebook.com/AUGymnastics