No. 17 Auburn Faces No. 5 Florida Friday in Auburn Arena

Jan. 31, 2018

No. 17 Auburn vs. No. 5 Florida

• Promotions
• Meet Notes
• SEC Network/Watch ESPN
• Location

MEET

AUBURN, Ala. -- The No. 17 Auburn gymnastics team welcomes No. 5 Florida to the Plains Friday, Feb. 2, for a Southeastern Conference contest in Auburn Arena. The Tigers and the Gators kick off Friday Night Heights on SEC Network with a 6 p.m. CT meet.

"This is another major challenge for us," head coach Jeff Graba said. "I love the fact that we get to go against another top team, but we need every seat filled and as much noise as possible. Florida is going to be right in the conversation for a national championship at the end of the year and I think we're ready for the challenge to go toe-to-toe with one of the best squads in the country."

EVENT INFORMATION
Friday's meet is full of activities and opportunities for fans. First, it's `Best Friends Night' in Auburn Arena! Children 12 and under that come to the meet with their best friend will receive an Auburn gymnastics lunch box while supplies last! The meet is also the program's `End Childhood Hunger' event where fans who donate four canned good items will receive free admission.

The program is also celebrating its alumni Friday night and will host over 30 former team members. The Tigers will honor the alumni in attendance prior to the meet.

In addition, vouchers for one free general admission are out and about in the Auburn/Opelika area and can be found at the following locations -- Chicken Salad Chick (Auburn), Chick-Fil-A (Auburn & Opelika), Momma G's (Magnolia, Longleaf, and Thatch), Alumni Hall (Auburn & Opelika) and the AU Bookstore.

Fans are also able to purchase tickets at AUBTix.com. General Admission tickets are available for $6, while Reserved are $8. Tickets for groups of 15 or more are $3 apiece. Fans are encouraged to arrive before 6:45 p.m. CT and to take advantage of Auburn's "Print-at-Home" ticket feature to avoid lines at the ticket office.

One shuttle will bring spectators from the X Lot to Auburn Arena and back. The shuttle will begin picking up at the X Lot beginning at 4 p.m. CT and run continuously until 9 p.m. CT, reversing its route at 7 p.m. CT. The X Lot is located at War Eagle Way and Donahue Drive. Fans will be dropped off at the transit stop in front of the arena suites.

In addition, parking in S Lot is available for ticket holders with a valid ticket to Friday's meet, anyone who is a Tigers Unlimited member with a valid membership card, and Individuals possessing a meet credential. Parking will be available while spots remain open.

While general parking is available in the Lowder Hall lot for Auburn Athletic events at Auburn Arena, parking is prohibited in spaces designated for construction personnel. These spaces are immediately adjacent to, and facing, the construction fence of the Graduate School building project. There are signs labeling these spaces and this parking restriction is enforced 24/7, including weekends. Vehicles left in these spots are subject to ticketing and towing.

SCOUTING FLORIDA
The No. 5 Florida Gators are coming off a big win over No. 1 Oklahoma at home last weekend, edging the Sooners 198.150-198.125. Senior Alex McMurtry had two 10.0s in the meet, while freshman Alyssa Baumann's 9.925 on the last floor routine of the night sealed the team victory.

For their efforts, McMurtry was named SEC Gymnast of the Week, while Baumann earned SEC Freshman of the Week. McMurtry is tied for first nationally on vault with a 9.925, while sophomore Rachel Gowey is third on beam (9.919) and senior Kennedy Baker stands third on floor (9.933).

AUBURN LINEUP
Depth is the name of the game for the Tigers in 2018 as each event is expected to be at least 10 gymnasts deep. The tentative lineup for Friday's meet features five juniors, three sophomores, and five freshmen.

The Tigers begin the evening on vault and are led by sophomore Gracie Day and freshmen Drew Watson and Jada Glenn. The trio are capable of putting together three-straight 10.0 vaults for the squad. Sophomore Katie Becker will lead off the event with juniors A'Miracal Phillips and Taylor Krippner following.

Auburn moves on to bars for rotation two with Watson opening up the event after earning a career-best 9.875 vs. Kentucky last week. Krippner follows, while steady sophomore Kendal Moss holds down the third position. Redshirt junior Abby Milliet is slated to go with Day fifth. Junior Samantha Cerio will anchor the event and is among the nation's best on bars early on the season, averaging a 9.894.

Rotation three will have freshman Allie Riddle lead off for the fourth-straight meet with Cerio and classmate Meredith Sylvia following. Riddle and Sylvia each set a career best last week vs. Kentucky with a 9.85 each. Redshirt sophomore Emma Slappey follows, while Milliet and Krippner will close out the rotation. Milliet captured the event title last week a 9.9.

AU will feature a youthful squad on floor as freshman Ashley Smith and Watson bring the energy in the first two slots. Cerio, Slappey, Day are set to go third, fourth, and fifth and Milliet will anchor the event.

UP NEXT
The Tigers take to the road for a full weekend, taking on a pair of opponents away from the Plains. Auburn first visits Arkansas for an SEC Meet, Feb. 9, in Fayetteville before facing Texas Woman's University Sunday, Feb. 11, in Denton, Texas.

For the latest on Auburn gymnastics, follow @AuburnGym on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuburnGym.