AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn gymnastics team and head coach Jeff Graba announced the 2019 schedule Wednesday.
"This upcoming year is going to be a true test," Graba said. "We are starting the year off with a home meet against a Big Ten stalwart in Iowa. This is going to kick off a year of really challenging meets. Not only are we hosting LSU and Georgia, but we are also embarking on a completely new postseason and each and every meet will count towards our seeding."
The Tigers will host five meets in Auburn Arena with three against Southeastern Conference foes. The team has enjoyed success at home on the Plains, finishing among the Top 8 in the country in attendance over the last five seasons and having six sellouts (7,424).
"We continue to build on our home environment and season ticket holder numbers every year," Graba said. "What a tremendous advantage we have competing in Auburn Arena and in front of the best crowd in the country. Our team cannot wait to get out there again and are putting in the work to be ready!"
Auburn opens the year with a pair of contests at home, starting with the season opener vs. Iowa, Jan. 4. The squad follows with its first SEC showdown, taking on two-time defending SEC champions LSU, Jan. 11. Following a road trip to Missouri (Jan. 18), the Tigers face off with rival Georgia, Jan. 25, in Auburn Arena to close out the month.
Back-to-back road trips kick off a full February for the team. Auburn takes on Kentucky in Lexington, Feb. 1, before heading south for a meet at Florida in Gainesville (Feb. 8). The Tigers return to Auburn Arena for their lone meet at home in the month, hosting Arkansas, Feb. 15. The team caps February in Texas, traveling to Texas Woman's University for a Sunday afternoon tilt, Feb. 24.
March opens with back-to-back meets against Alabama, starting with a trip to Tuscaloosa, March 1. The two squads will follow with the annual Elevate the State meet, March 9. The Tigers and the Crimson Tide are set to square off in the fifth edition of the neutral, non-conference contest in Birmingham at the BJCC.
The final regular season meet is slated for March 15, as Auburn will welcome Air Force to the Plains. The contest will serve as Senior Day for the squad's six seniors.
Postseason action begins with the 2019 SEC Championship, taking place in New Orleans, March 23. The NCAA Regional Championship will be a two-day meet for the first time and will be held at one of six locations. The 2019 NCAA National Championship will return to Fort Worth, Texas, and will run April 19-20.
Seating options for season tickets have been upgraded for the 2019 season and are currently available through the Auburn Ticket Office. For more information, call 855-282-2010 or go online at www.AUBTIX.com
In addition, the Auburn gymnastics team will be hosting a "Select a Seat" event in Auburn Arena, Sept. 8, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. CT. Fans will be able to meet the team and see what seat options are still available for 2019.
