July 8, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬"The Auburn gymnastics team is set to face a tough 2017 slate that features five meets against 2016 NCAA Championship competitors, head coach Jeff Graba announced Friday.
"Our schedule is set to be the toughest in recent memory," Graba said. "I believe you can only get better when you test yourself against the very best. This is reflected in the 2017 schedule and for the third-consecutive year, we will most likely have the toughest schedule in the country."
Among their competition, the Tigers will compete against 2016 national champion Oklahoma and 2016 national runner-up LSU. Auburn concluded 2016 ranked No. 11, while reaching as high as No. 6 throughout the year. The team captured the program's first-ever NCAA regional title, while also securing Auburn's highest-ever RQS score of 197.150.
Auburn opens the season with a pair of meets at home in Auburn Arena, beginning with a non-conference meet vs. Oregon State, Jan. 6. The Tigers follow with a big meet in front of their home crowd against SEC rival Georgia, Jan. 13.
The Tigers start a three-meet road stint at Kentucky, Jan. 20, and then travel to Gainesville to compete against 2016 Super Six competitor Florida, Jan. 27. Auburn closes out the month in Birmingham, taking on Alabama at the Third Annual Elevate Meet, Jan. 29.
February opens with a home meet vs. Arkansas, Feb. 3, before heading out to face a tough test in Oklahoma City. The Tigers are set to participate in the Perfect 10.0 Challenge, Feb. 10, taking on reigning national champion, Oklahoma, along with two other opponents.
The month closes out with a pair of SEC challenges, starting with a short trip to Tuscaloosa. The Tigers and the Tide will square off, Feb. 17, in Coleman Coliseum. The Blue and Orange return to Auburn Arena, Feb. 24, to host national runner-up LSU.
March kicks off with the team on the road, traveling to Missouri (March 3). Auburn will then close out the regular season in Auburn Arena with a meet vs. Pitt, March 10.
Postseason action begins with the 2017 SEC Championship, taking place in Jacksonville, Fla., March 18. The NCAA Regional Championship will be held at one of six different locations (April 1) and the 2017 NCAA National Championship will be in St. Louis, Mo., from April 14-16.
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