No. 16 Auburn Finishes Season with a 196.525

April 7, 2018

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SALT LAKE CITY -- The No. 16 Auburn gymnastics team faced a tough test at the NCAA Salt Lake City Regional Saturday, finishing third overall with a 196.525 in the Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah.

The Tigers were just .200 out of second as California edged Auburn with a 196.725. Utah won the meet with a 197.475. BYU finished in fourth (196.3), Stanford fifth (195.6), and Southern Utah was sixth (194.625).

"It was a tight meet all the way through for the top four teams," head coach Jeff Graba said. "We are typically in this type of situation at the end of the season. I thought we did a very good job and fought all the way through it. We have a young team that never buckled under pressure and I'm very proud of them."

Three Tigers advanced to the NCAA Championship in St. Louis (April 20-21) as individuals in redshirt junior Abby Milliet, junior Samantha Cerio, and freshman Drew Watson. Milliet came in a tie for first on beam, Cerio a tie for first on bars, and Watson captured the overall vault title. The Tyler, Texas, product also advanced in the all-around as Watson finished fourth with a career-best 39.425.

"Having three advance is huge for this team," Graba said. "They are going to come back and teach the rest how to go about their business and lay a great foundation for the future."

Auburn opened the meet with a solid performance on floor, scoring a 49.325. That total was the second-highest by an Auburn floor squad at the regional meet in program history. Milliet and sophomore Gracie Day led the team with a pair of 9.9s. Redshirt sophomore Emma Slappey added a 9.875, while Watson put together a 9.85. Freshman Ashley Smith led off with a 9.8.

Watson guided the Tigers in the third rotation as the team earned a 49.025 on vault. Watson's 9.925 came in first overall and tied her career high. Classmate Jada Glenn finished with 9.825, while sophomore A'Miracal Phillips had a 9.775. Sophomore Katie Becker and Day each added a 9.75.

After a bye, the Tigers moved on to bars and finished with a 49.075. Cerio led the team with a 9.9, tying a season best. Watson and Day followed with a pair of 9.85s, while sophomore Kendal Moss opened up with a 9.75. Junior Taylor Krippner added a 9.725 for the team.

Auburn capped the meet on beam with a 49.1. Milliet's 9.925 came in a tie for first and tied her career best, earning a 10.0 from one judge. Freshman Meredith Sylvia tied her career high with a 9.85, while Watson set a career best with a 9.8. Freshman Allie Riddle led off with a 9.775 and Slappey chipped in a 9.75.

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