AUBURN, Ala. – When No. 11 Auburn travels to Texas Woman's University this weekend, expect a lot of orange and blue in Kitty Magee Arena on Sunday.
That's because the state of Texas is well-represented on this year's Auburn roster. Abby Milliet, Drew Watson, Gracie Day, Taylor Krippner and Skyler Sheppard all call Texas home, and each gymnast will have her own cheering section at Sunday's meet.
"I think it's going to be fun for me," Watson said. "My dad was talking this week about how many people are coming to support me. They've really kind of honed into Auburn gymnastics this year. They're really excited for our season and our team. I think they see what we have, and they all want to come watch us. I think it's going to be a pretty good crowd."
The meet itself is important as the Tigers look to earn another win and add another high road score to help their rank in the postseason. But it's also an opportunity to showcase the team and the program to perspective gymnasts in the area.
"It's extremely important," Auburn head coach Jeff Graba said. "Texas is a hotbed for gymnastics. Outside of the NCAA, everybody is there. That's where the major clubs are. We have to put on a good show. We have to show them that if you want to come to the SEC, the top conference in the country, that Auburn is the school to go to.
"So it's important for us to show up well. But I think it's more important for our Texas girls to go home. It's sort of a homecoming. The Texas mentality on this team is interesting."
INSIDE THE SERIES: TWU
Auburn has never lost to TWU, winning all seven previous meetings. The series dates all the way back to 1988 when the Tigers finished ahead of TWU in a tri-meet.
Last year, Auburn won a quad meet at TWU with a score of 196.500 to beat Pittsburgh, North Carolina State and the host school. Abby Milliet, a native of Denton, Texas, shared the individual titles on both beam (9.925) and floor (9.900).
AUBURN LINEUP
It's always important to start strong, and Auburn has a great opportunity to do just that with bars up first in Sunday's meet. The Tigers set a new program record on bars the last time out with a 49.600 against Arkansas, and they are currently ranked fifth in the nation on the event.
The only change to the bars lineup this week will be the return of senior Taylor Krippner, who was replaced by Kendal Moss in the second spot for the last meet. Sophomore Drew Watson will once again lead off, and then after Krippner will be Samantha Cerio, Derrian Gobourne and Abby Milliet. Last but not least is anchor Gracie Day, who is coming off a career-high 9.975.
Auburn will move to vault next where the Tigers posted a season-high 49.325 against Arkansas thanks to career-high scores from Watson (9.950) and Jada Glenn (9.925). Senior A'Miracal Phillips will continue to serve as the lead on the event, and then it will be junior Katie Becker making her return to the lineup. She'll be followed by Day, Glenn, and then the two all-arounders, Gobourne and Watson.
The third rotation of the afternoon for Auburn will be on floor, and just two weeks ago, the Tigers posted their season high on floor with a 49.450 on the road at Florida.
The only change to the lineup will be in the lead position where Cerio is making her first appearance on the event since Auburn's meet at Kentucky three weeks ago. The senior has earned a 9.800 or higher in two meets this season. Following Cerio will be junior Skyler Sheppard and then Watson, Gobourne, Milliet and Day. Gobourne won the individual title in the last meet with a 9.925.
Auburn will close Sunday's meet on beam and looking for consistency, the coaches will roll out the same lineup they used against Arkansas that earned a 49.000 -- the third-highest score of the season.
Watson, who is coming off a career-high performance on beam last week, will start things for the Tigers. Then it will be Sheppard and Gobourne followed by two seniors, Krippner and Milliet. Lastly, the anchor spot will once again be sophomore Meredith Sylvia.
UP NEXT
Auburn will close out the SEC regular season on the road at No. 9 Alabama next week. The meet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday, March 1 and will be televised on SEC Network. With a win, the Tigers can clinch a share of the SEC regular-season title.