March 11, 2016
 | |||
| No. 7 Auburn def. Arizona State, 197.175-193.275 | |||
| Location | Auburn, Ala. | Auburn Arena | ||
| Results | Meet Results | ||
| Photos | Photo Gallery | ||
| Video | Highlights | Online | Twitter: @Auburn_Gym | Facebook: Auburn Gymnastics |
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The No. 7 Auburn gymnastics team closed out the regular season Friday night with a 197.175-193.275 win over Arizona State on Senior Night in Auburn Arena. The team's overall total marked the fifth 197+ score in a row and the fourth-highest score of the season.
"I was happy with the result even though it was a tough night," head coach Jeff Graba said. "There are so many emotions that go with tonight that have nothing to do with our performance. I felt like we were tight all night. I didn't really think this was a great performance, but we are really good on floor and we let it all hang out."
The Tigers honored their three seniors - Caitlin Atkinson, Lexus Demers and Kait Kluz - prior to the meet.
"Being able to do what we've done for the past four years for this crowd, these fans, and this community is something special and something that I will take with me for the rest of my life," Atkinson said. "It was really exciting and I would notice myself starting to think about it being senior night during all of my routines. I just tried to continue to focus and let the emotions happen afterwards."
Atkinson put together her best performance of the season, capturing all event titles on her way to a season-high 39.725 win in the all-around. It was her fourth all-around title of the year.
"I don't think I could've had a better senior night and I'm glad I got to do it with this team because I couldn't ask for a better team," Atkinson said. "We still have postseason left, so we're going to keep grinding, keep going, and keep climbing."
Highlighting the evening was Auburn's performance on floor in the final rotation. The Tigers tied a program record with an overall total of 49.600. Atkinson took home the event title with a career-tying 9.975. Junior MJ Rott set a career-best with a 9.950, while classmate Kullen Hlawek tied her career score with a 9.925. Sophomore Abby Milliet opened the rotation with a career-tying 9.875 and Kluz added another 9.875.
The Tigers opened competition on vault, finishing with a 49.225. Atkinson won the event with a 9.900 and was followed by a pair of 9.85s from Rott and Demers. Kluz totaled a 9.825 and freshman Taylor Krippner capped scoring with a 9.800.
The second rotation had Atkinson win uneven bars with a season-best 9.925 as Auburn totaled a 49.250 collectively. Redshirt junior Kelsey Kopec also set a season-high, finishing with a 9.875. Milliet added a 9.850, while Kluz and freshman Samantha Cerio had a pair of 9.8s.
Auburn finished beam with a 49.100 as Atkinson once again led the way with a season-tying 9.925. Milliet scored a 9.825, while Demers finished with a 9.8. The trio of Hlawek, Cerio and Krippner contributed 9.775s for the Tigers.
The postseason begins March 19 with Auburn traveling to the 2016 SEC Championships. The conference meet will take place in Little Rock, Ark., and will be split into two sessions.
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 |
| Sarah Garcia - 9.775 | Samantha Cerio - 9.800 | Kullen Hlawek - 9.775 | Abby Milliet - 9.875 |
| Taylor Krippner - 9.800 | Taylor Krippner - 9.775 | Samantha Cerio - 9.775 | Kullen Hlawek - 9.925 |
| Kait Kluz - 9.825 | Kelsey Kopec -9.875 | Taylor Krippner - 9.775 | MJ Rott - 9.950 |
| Lexus Demers - 9.850 | Kait Kluz - 9.800 | Lexus Demers - 9.800 | Kait Kluz - 9.875 |
| MJ Rott - 9.850 | Abby Milliet - 9.850 | Abby Milliet - 9.825 | Lexus Demers - 9.200 |
| Caitlin Atkinson - 9.900 | Caitlin Atkinson - 9.925 | Caitlin Atkinson - 9.925 | Caitlin Atkinson - 9.975 |
| Total -- 49.225 | Total -- 49.250 | Total -- 49.100 | Total -- 49.600 |