AUBURN, Ala. – Members of the incoming 2020 freshman class for the Auburn gymnastics team had successful conclusions to their club careers this spring.
"This incoming class of gymnasts is one of the most exciting classes we've had come in for quite some time," head coach Jeff Graba said. "They have all been accomplished on the national stage and are all well-rounded gymnasts who can help us on numerous events. We are extremely excited to have this group join us and can't wait to get them on campus so we all can starting working together towards a common goal!"
Highlighting the successes was a pair of Junior Olympic National Champions in Cassie Stevens and Aria Brusch. Stevens finished first on vault with a 9.9, while Brusch captured the bars title with a 9.9.
In addition to her national championship, Stevens exceled throughout the entire season. The Nastia Liukin Cup qualifier finished as the Arizona state champion on vault (9.95) and beam (9.975). In addition, she earned three titles at the Region 1 Championship, including a perfect 10.0 on vault.
Adeline Sabados also had success at the national championship, coming in sixth on bars and 13th overall in the all-around. The Denver product was the Region 3 champion on bars and the all-around, while also taking home the Colorado state title on bars.
Piper Smith concluded her club career with a sixth-place finish on bars at JO Nationals. She was also Region 8 champion on vault and bars, while taking third in the all-around. Smith added a pair of second-place finishes at the North Carolina state meet on bars and the all-around.
Elise Panzner and Anna Sumner were also JO National qualifiers this season. Panzner had a pair of Top 25 finishes on vault and bars, while Sumner concluded the meet in the Top 25 on beam.
In addition, Sumner captured first on vault, beam, floor and the all-around at the Atlanta Crown in January. She also finished first on beam at the Gasparilla Classic.
Morgan Leigh Oldham had a successful showing at the North Carolina state meet, finishing third on beam and fifth on vault.