Feb. 19, 2018
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" In the first week of Regional Qualifying Score rankings, the Auburn gymnastics team moves up to No. 12 with a 196.190.
"The RQS ranking is a much more accurate representation of where this team is right now," head coach Jeff Graba said. "Being 12th is good at this point, but we have a lot of work left to do. We've got a tremendous test this Friday and need Auburn Arena full of orange!"
Regional Qualifying Score (RQS) will determine rankings for the remainder of the season. RQS is determined by the team total average with its home meets and three highest away meets, as well as dropping the team's highest score. The same ranking goes for individuals with their high score dropped and at least three away scores counted.
Oklahoma and LSU are in a tight race for first as the Sooners hold a 197.535-197.475 edge over the Bayou Bengals. UCLA, Utah, and Florida round out the Top 5. All Southeastern Conference schools are in the Top 25 ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Alabama (No. 6), Kentucky (No. 9), Arkansas (t-No. 10), Georgia (No. 16), Missouri (No. 24).
Auburn ranks ninth on beam with an RQS of 49.135. The squad is 14th on vault (49.015), 15th on bars (49.015), and 17th on floor (49.080).
Redshirt junior Abby Milliet is among the nation's best on beam and is tied for fourth with a 9.9 RQS. The Denton, Texas, product is tied for 12th on floor at 9.885. Sophomore Gracie Day is tied for 16th on vault (9.865), while freshman Drew Watson is tied for 23rd in the same event at 9.855.
The Tigers close out their home schedule Friday, Feb. 23, hosting rival and No. 6 Alabama. Auburn and the Crimson Tide will go head-to-head at 7:30 p.m. CT in Auburn Arena and the meet will be televised on SEC Network. The contest will also serve as the team's Senior Night.
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