Jan. 10, 2016
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CORVALLIS, Ore. -- The No. 10 Auburn gymnastics team defeated No. 12 Oregon State, 196.175-195.425, to open the 2016 season on Sunday at Gill Coliseum. Auburn's score is the second highest total in a season opener in program history.
"Going into this trip, we knew it was going to be a tough trip. This is a very difficult place not only to compete in but to get to," head coach Jeff Graba said. "It was a little bit of trepidation with the freshmen trying to figure out if they would be able to handle this challenge this early in the season. I was absolutely ecstatic with the way they performed. It wasn't our best meet, but we were pretty consistent across the board. I thought people stayed focused and were excited. We kept our energy. Among all of those things, that is pretty good for a young team."
Auburn opened on bars with a total score of 49.000, led by sophomore Abby Milliet's 9.875. Freshman Taylor Krippner scored a 9.825 and freshman Samantha Cerio and senior Kait Kluz recorded a 9.800.
Senior Caitlin Atkinson led the Tigers on vault with a 9.925 while junior MJ Rott and senior Lexus Demers scored a 9.825. Freshman Emma Engler recorded a 9.800 as freshmen A'Miracal Phillips and Taylor Krippner scored a 9.750.
Auburn took a 147.125-146.725 lead following the third rotation after scoring a 49.000 on floor. Demers scored a team high 9.875, followed by junior Kullen Hlawek's 9.800. Atkinson, Rott and Kluz scored a 9.775.
The Tigers closed the meet with a score of 49.050 on beam. Hlawek led off the event with a 9.825, tying her career high. Milliet scored a team high 9.875 as Demers scored a 9.825. Atkinson recorded a 9.800 and Emma Engler scored a 9.725.
Auburn opens its home slate on Friday against No. 21 Kentucky at 7 p.m. CT at Auburn Arena, before squaring off against No. 3 Alabama at the Elevate Meet in Birmingham, Ala. The first 500 fans in attendance on Friday will receive a foam finger and the first 500 children will receive an educational booklet.
Season and single meet tickets can be purchased online www.aubtix.com.
For the latest on Auburn gymnastics, follow @Auburn_Gym on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AUGymnastics.
| Auburn's Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Vault | Beam | Bars | Floor |
| Taylor Krippner - 9.750 | Kullen Hlawek - 9.825 | Samantha Cerio - 9.800 | Lucia Scaglione - 9.750 |
| Emma Engler - 9.800 | Taylor Krippner - 9.550 | Kelsey Kopec - 9.700 | MJ Rott - 9.775 |
| A'Miracal Phillips - 9.750 | Emma Engler - 9.725 | Taylor Krippner - 9.825 | Kait Kluz - 9.775 |
| Lexus Demers - 9.825 | Lexus Demers - 9.825 | Kait Kluz - 9.800 | Kullen Hlawek - 9.800 |
| MJ Rott - 9.825 | Abby Milliet - 9.875 | Abby Milliet - 9.875 | Lexus Demers - 9.875 |
| Caitlin Atkinson - 9.925 | Caitlin Atkinson - 9.800 | Caitlin Atkinson - 8.800 | Caitlin Atkinson - 9.775 |
| Total -- 49.125 | Total -- 49.050 | Total -- 49.000 | Total -- 49.000 |