AUBURN, Ala. – There's something different about this year's Auburn gymnastics team. The Tigers are 4-0 for the first time in program history. Three of the wins came against top-10 teams. They're ranked No. 11 nationally. And most importantly, they're having fun.
"It's incredible," senior Taylor Krippner said. "This is the season that I've been waiting for. This is my fourth year, and I've never experienced something so fun and enjoyable team as far as gymnastics goes. This team dynamic – I couldn't ask for anything better.
"The talent has always been there. Granted, we're still very talented and that definitely plays a part. But as far as having fun and everything, I think that's all about the team dynamic. Everyone just loves each other, everyone is committed, and no one really fears the challenge anymore. We're just excited to conquer it."
The next challenge facing Auburn is a trip to No. 17 Kentucky on Friday. It's been almost 10 years since the Tigers last won in Lexington, and like Auburn, the Wildcats are coming off their season-high score (196.650) at Florida last weekend.
"We have to be good on the road, and this one will prepare us," Auburn head coach Jeff Graba said. "They'll have a bunch of people there. I'm sure they'll get a good crowd. And I'm pretty sure they won't be wanting us to win. Other than that, we have to do our thing, and I think the girls are really bought into their bubble and staying focused and all that good stuff.
"To me, I look at it as an opportunity and a test. I think they're in a really good spot right now."
SCOUTING KENTUCKY
The Kentucky gymnastics team is coming off its highest score of the season, a 196.650, at Florida last weekend. Though the Wildcats lost the meet, Katie Stuart (bars) and Mollie Korth (floor) both won individual event titles.
The week before Kentucky knocked off Arkansas in its first and only home meet of the season to this point. The Wildcats posted a 195.275, and Korth – a regular-season All-American a year ago – took the home the all-around title with a 39.200.
Korth, now a junior, joins an experienced Kentucky squad that has every routine back but three from a 2018 team that advanced to the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history.
INSIDE THE SERIES: KENTUCKY
Auburn is 42-45 all-time against Kentucky and its last win in the series came in 2016 when the Tigers won the head-to-head meeting at home and also finished with a higher score at the SEC Championship.
Auburn has the advantage at home (14-7) and at neutral sites (24-21), but the Tigers have struggled on the road in the series with a 4-17 mark all-time in Lexington.
AUBURN LINEUP VS. KENTUCKY
Vault
A'Miracal Phillips
Taylor Krippner
Gracie Day
Derrian Gobourne
Drew Watson
Jada Glenn
Exh: Katie Becker
Bars
Drew Watson
Katie Becker
Taylor Krippner
Samantha Cerio
Derrian Gobourne
Gracie Day
Exh: Meredith Sylvia
Beam
Drew Watson
Emma Slappey
Derrian Gobourne
Skyler Sheppard
Abby Milliet
Meredith Sylvia
Floor
Ashley Smith
Emma Slappey
Skyler Sheppard
Drew Watson
Samantha Cerio
Derrian Gobourne
Exh: Gracie Day
UP NEXT
Fresh off one road trip, Auburn will make another one next week to Gainesville where the Tigers will match up against No. 2 Florida on Friday, Feb. 8. The meet is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and will be televised on SEC Network.
No fear: No. 11 Auburn gears up for road test at No. 17 Kentucky
