AUBURN, Ala. – For the second time this season, Auburn gymnast Derrian Gobourne was named SEC Freshman of the Week following another outstanding performance over the weekend.
Gobourne helped the Tigers earn a season-high 196.775 to beat No. 6 Georgia in front of a sold out Auburn Arena on Friday night. The freshman won the all-around title with a 39.375, and it was her 9.950 on floor that all but sealed the victory. One of the two judges gave the routine a perfect 10.
Gobourne finished with a 9.800 or higher on all four events, including a season-high 9.800 beam. She also scored a 9.825 on vault and added another 9.800 on bars.
"Derrian is just a sponge with all the other girls on the team," Auburn head coach Jeff Graba said after Friday's meet. "She's completely willing to learn from anybody. She's completely willing to adjust. She's talented. All the girls are talented, and Derrian is talented.
"She loves the limelight. I think, that's pretty obvious. You want that. It's hard to find people that want to do something like this out in front of 8,000 people, and on national TV. She wants all of that, and on top of it, she came in with no ego and is listening to whatever anybody tells her and is just trying to get better every day. Her recipe for success is already set. She already knows the game.
"Initially, I was a little surprised. I'm not surprised anymore. She's only going to get better."
Gobourne earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors two weeks ago after sharing the all-around crown with the reigning SEC Gymnast of the Year, Sarah Finnegan. Gobourne posted a 9.950 on floor in that meet as well as Auburn went on to knock off No. 4 LSU, 196.700 – 196.275.
The latest win over Georgia was the third straight win over a top-10 team for Auburn, who is now 4-0 for the first time in program history. The Tigers, ranked No. 11 this week, travel to No. 17 Kentucky on Friday.
