AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn gymnastics team hosted its annual end of the year banquet a couple weeks ago to celebrate a big year for the program.
In addition to celebrating the squad's seniors – Samantha Cerio, Emma Engler, Taylor Krippner, Abby Milliet and A'Miracal Phillips – Auburn celebrated the major accomplishments reached throughout 2019.
The Tigers finished 2019 at No. 16 in the rankings, having an NQS of 392.420 and reaching the sports first NCAA Sweet Sixteen. 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 its final NCAA Regional score.
The squad narrowly missed a share of the regular season SEC championship, finishing with a 5-2 record in the conference for sole possession of second place. That was the highest regular season finish in program history.
In addition, Auburn once again enjoyed being at home in Auburn Arena as the team's home attendance average of 6,050 ranked seventh among all NCAA teams. The Tigers enjoyed a program-best three sellouts (7,424) this season.
Auburn continued its trend of upping its RQS, finishing the regular season with a 196.695. The squad also set a program high in the postseason, earning a 197.075 on the second day of the NCAA Regional.
Individually, the program saw it's first-ever NCAA Champion come from freshman Derrian Gobourne. The Sarasota, Fla., product won the regional vault crown with a career-high 9.95 to qualify for the NCAA Championship in Fort Worth. There, she finished in a tie for first with another 9.95 and secured Auburn's first national crown.
In addition to her national and regional vault titles, Gobourne earned at least a share of three more vault titles throughout the season. She added five all-around wins, four floor titles and one bars crown to her resume and secured the team's MVP award.
At the end of it all, Gobourne concluded her first season on the Plains as a first team All-American and as an All-SEC and a SEC All-Freshman performer.
Joining her in the all-around this season was sophomore Drew Watson. The Tyler, Texas, native captured six all-around titles this year, while also earning five vault crowns and one floor title. For her efforts, Watson was awarded the team's Sarah Wentworth award, which is given to the gymnast who best exemplifies the Auburn Creed.
Winning the Most Improved Award was redshirt junior Skyler Sheppard. After missing most of 2018 with injury, Sheppard earned a spot in both the beam and floor lineups this year, having one of the team's best years on beam. She opened with a career-high 9.875 vs. Iowa and closed out the season with a three 9.85s over the last five meets. In addition, Sheppard set a career high on floor in the second round of the NCAA Regional with a 9.875.
Senior Abby Milliet was given "The Rock" award, which is presented to the gymnast who demonstrates consistency and excels in all competitions. The Denton, Texas, product went 34-for-35 on her routines, competing in bars, beam and floor for the squad. Over the year, Milliet set a career best on beam (9.95), while having season bests on bars (9.925) and floor (9.925).
Earning Student-Athlete of the Year was senior Samantha Cerio. The Hendersonville, N.C., native finished her time on the Plains with a degree in aerospace engineering and was named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for gymnastics.
Sophomore Ashley Smith was named the Most Valuable Teammate for showing an unwavering team spirit and selfless attitude. Smith competed in six meets on floor, scoring a season-best 9.825 vs. Arkansas (2/15).
Season tickets for the 2020 season are already available through the Auburn Ticket Office. The team will welcome four SEC teams to Auburn Arena, including rival Alabama.