May 1, 2018
AUBURN, Ala. ââ'¬" The 2018 season was another solid one for the Auburn gymnastics team as the squad once again finished in the Top 15 in both rankings and attendance.
"Finishing in the Top 15 in the country is an extremely good season for any team," head coach Jeff Graba said. "Especially with the youngest team in the Top 25. However, we are not satisfied with that and definitely want to improve on it next year."
The Tigers came in at No. 14 nationally, having an NQS of 393.120. The final rankings for teams inside the Top 36 but not advancing to the NCAA Championships is based on the NQS, which is the sum of the team's RQS and NCAA Regional score.
Auburn's No. 14 ranking marks the sixth time in the last seven years the program has finished in the Top 15.
Along with the overall final ranking, the Tigers once again enjoyed being at home in Auburn Arena as the team's home attendance average of 6,334 fans finished seventh this season among all NCAA teams.
In addition, the squad's average is the highest ever in program history.
"Setting another attendance record this year just shows the tremendous support we have in Auburn," Graba said. "This community has really embraced our team and gymnastics as a sport. We are extremely thankful for their support! We hope to build on this next year with the new season ticket and reserved seating options."
Auburn Arena welcomed 31,674 fans in 2018. Four of the team's five home meets boasted attendances of 6,200 or more, including a sellout (7,424) against Alabama (Feb. 23).
The youthful Tiger squad had a solid season of competition, upping its regular season RQS to 196.595 from last year's 196.265. The final meet of the year saw the team's lineup feature 14 routines from five freshmen and four sophomores, while all 24 routines came from juniors or below.
"We should have high expectations for next year since we are returning all our competitive routines," Graba said. "We have a tremendous group of freshmen coming in and I feel that this year has helped our returners figure out what it takes to compete at a high level in the toughest conference in the country."
The Tigers saw big scores at home vs. Florida (197.0) and at the annual Elevate the Stage meet vs. Alabama (196.9).
In addition, members of the team combined for 32 event titles won in 2018, including three at the NCAA Salt Lake City Regional.
Freshman Drew Watson, junior Samantha Cerio, and redshirt junior Abby Milliet all qualified for the NCAA Championships as individuals following solid performance at Utah in early April. Watson, from Tyler, Texas, claimed the overall vault title at the meet with a 9.925, while also finishing fourth in the all-around (49.425). Watson put together a solid 39.2875 in the all-around at nationals in St. Louis.
Cerio added the share of the bars title in Utah to her four earned in the regular season. The appearance at the national meet was the second-straight for the Hendersonville, N.C., product in the event.
Milliet, of Denton, Texas, picked up her seventh title on beam at the regional meet, tying a career-best with a 9.925. She went on to compete at the NCAA Championships in the event, earning a 9.85.
To add to the individual success, three Tigers secured All-SEC accolades at the conclusion of the SEC Championship. Watson and sophomore Gracie Day finished in a tie for second overall on vault (9.925) to secure conference nods, while Cerio's 9.85 on bars placed her on the team as well. Watson also earned SEC All-Freshman team honors.
The team recently held its annual end of the year banquet Friday, April 27, in Auburn Arena to honor its student-athletes and staff. In addition, the team also recognized its two seniors ââ'¬" Cara Stricklin and Kennedy Finister.
Day was awarded team MVP for her solid performances throughout the season. She competed on three events for the Tigers and captured six individual titles on the year.
The San Antonio product scored a 9.85 or higher 23 times, guiding the team on vault, bars, and floor. She reached a career-best 9.925 on vault on three occasions, while also reaching that score on floor at home vs. Alabama. Day earned a career-high 9.95 on bars against the Tide at the Elevate meet.
Cerio was honored with "The Rock" award for her consistency throughout the year. She hit 26-of-26 routines, scoring a 9.9 or higher five times on bars and reaching a career-best 9.875 on beam at Georgia (Jan. 19).
This year's Most Improved award went to sophomore Kendal Moss. The Cornelius, N.C., native competed in the bars lineup in every meet and reached a career-best 9.9 at home vs. Missouri (Jan. 12).
Earning the team's Student-Athlete of the Year was sophomore Katie Becker. Having a 3.63 cumulative grade-point average, the Boone, N.C., product competed in 13 meets this year. She was a regular in the vault lineup, while providing depth in every other event. Becker's 9.85 on bars at TWU (Feb. 11) was a career high.
Milliet was presented with the Sarah Wentworth Award. The honor is given to the Auburn gymnast who best exemplifies the Auburn Creed. In addition to exceling on beam, Milliet also put up big numbers for Auburn on floor and bars. Highlighting her year was her performances at the Elevate meet where she earned a season-best 9.925 on bars and a career-high 9.95 on floor. Milliet has also performed in the classroom all season.
Volunteer assistant Rachel Inniss was given the Bob Ritenbaugh Service Award, which is given to the person who goes beyond the gym and the university.
Season tickets for the 2019 season are already available through the Auburn Ticket Office. The team has upgraded its season ticket seating options and those new seat openings can be found HERE.
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