Feb. 12, 2016
By: Matt Penland, Auburn Communications
AUBURN, Ala. -- The No. 8 Auburn gymnastics team defeated No. 4 Alabama 197.275 -- 197.250 on Friday to snap a streak of 117-consecutive losses to the Crimson Tide in front of the third sellout in Auburn Arena gymnastics history.
"Well, that was fun," head coach Jeff Graba said. "Our fans keep showing up in bigger and bigger numbers, I really think this is for the Auburn Family and for our fans. We want to look up there and be able to give back to them what they have given to us. This is really special to us and it is something we want to share with them."
Senior Caitlin Atkinson won All-Around honors for the second time this season with a season-high 39.650 and sweeping all four events.
"This win means everything," Atkinson said. "This is my last dual-meet against Alabama. When you come into a rivalry like this, your goal is always to come out on top. To finally do that as a senior and in my last dual-meet against Alabama means everything. I think it means a lot to the team as well."
Atkinson, a Houston, Texas, native, was the last gymnast to perform for the night and went into her final routine on floor with Alabama leading 197.250 -- 197.175. She nailed her routine with a career high-tying 9.925 to give Auburn the final advantage.
Auburn improved to 5-4, 2-3 in SEC play while Alabama fell to 3-4, 3-3 in SEC play.
The Tigers got things started on vault with Atkinson leading the way with a 9.900. Junior M.J. Rott and senior Lexus Demers posted a pair of 9.875s. Freshman Taylor Krippner tied a career high with a 9.825 and redshirt junior Kelsey Kopec closed things out with a 9.800.
Auburn led Alabama 49.375 -- 49.275 after the first rotation.
Milliet and Atkinson kept things rolling on bars where they each captured the event with a 9.900. The mark was a season-best for both gymnasts. Kopec scored a season-high 9.850, while Krippner and senior Kait Kluz posted a pair of 9.825s.
On the beam, Atkinson dazzled with a 9.925 to set a season-high and Milliet followed with a season high-tying 9.875. Junior Kullen Hlawek and Demers landed with a pair of 9.825s, while freshman Samantha Cerio closed things out with a 9.800.
Alabama entered the final rotation leading 147.950 -- 147.825.
Auburn shined when it needed to the most on the floor as 4-of-5 Tigers finished in the top four of the event overall. Prior to Atkinson's meet-winning routine, Rott and Demers brought down the house with a pair of 9.900s. Milliet set a career-high with a 9.875 and Hlawek posted a 9.825.
The Tigers return to action next Friday, Feb. 19, at LSU at 7:30 pm CT. The meet will be broadcast live on SEC Network.
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 | Bars | Beam | Floor |
| Taylor Krippner - 9.825 | Samantha Cerio - 9.800 | Kullen Hlawek - 9.825 | Abby Milliet - 9.875 |
| Kelsey Kopec - 9.800 | Taylor Krippner - 9.825 | Samantha Cerio - 9.800 | Kullen Hlawek - 9.825 |
| Kait Kluz - 9.750 | Kelsey Kopec - 9.825 | Taylor Krippner - 9.175 | MJ Rott - 9.900 |
| Lexus Demers - 9.875 | Kait Kluz - 9.825 | Lexus Demers - 9.825 | Kait Kluz - 9.850 |
| MJ Rott - 9.875 | Abby Milliet - 9.900 | Abby Milliet - 9.875 | Lexus Demers - 9.900 |
| Caitlin Atkinson - 9.900 | Caitlin Atkinson - 9.900 | Caitlin Atkinson - 9.925 | Caitlin Atkinson - 9.925 |
| Total -- 49.275 | Total -- 49.300 | Total -- 49.250 | Total -- 49.450 |