April 19, 2015
All-American Caitlin Atkinson performs in the NCAA Gymnastics Championship beam final
By Ethan Brady
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Auburn All-American Caitlin Atkinson became the highest placing individual beam finalist in program history when she scored a 9.825 to place tied for eighth at the NCAA Gymnastics Championship beam final Sunday at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
The junior from Houston, Texas, tied for third in the all-around, decided in the semifinals on Friday with a total of 39.550. The third place finish is the highest individual finish at NCAA nationals in program history.
"In my all-around, I was really excited I was able to do it for the team," Atkinson said. "The beam final was a little different, but I just wanted to go out there and have fun."
Atkinson's final position of third in the all-around and eighth on beam are the two highest finishes of any Auburn gymnast at the NCAA Championships. The previous high all-around was Julie Dwyer's ninth-place finish in 2008.
"It was different without my team," Atkinson said. "They were right there in the stands cheering me on. Even though they weren't on the floor with me, I felt like they were right there next to me. I couldn't have done it without them pushing me to be better."
This is the second time Atkinson has qualified as a NCAA finalist, earning a spot as an all-arounder her freshman season in 2013.
"It's a huge deal for our program," head coach Jeff Graba said. "I love the fact that we're finally in the conversation, not just as a team, but our individuals as well. We get Caitlin back for another year. I think we can improve on her, and I'm excited about it. It says our team has arrived on the national scene."