Three Tigers earn SEC postseason recognition

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Shanna Lockwood/AU Athletics

AUBURN, Ala. – Three members of the Auburn gymnastics team earned Southeastern Conference postseason recognition, the league office announced Tuesday. Junior Drew Watson and sophomore Derrian Gobourne were placed on the All-SEC team, while Cassie Stevens earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team.

With the 2020 SEC Gymnastics Championship canceled this year, the All-SEC awards were based on amended criteria. The All-SEC Team was comprised of the student-athletes with the top two final NQS scores (including ties) on each event and in the all-around competition in the projected first session and second session. The All-Freshman Team was put together with the same criteria for freshmen student-athletes.

Watson picked up All-SEC honors for her performances on vault this season. It marked the second conference honor the Tyler, Texas product has received on the event with her first coming in 2018.

Watson earned All-America First Team recognition on vault after finishing with an NQS of 9.92. She scored 9.9 or higher seven times over 10 meets competed, including a 9.975 at Arkansas (Feb. 21) as she set both a career high and tied a program best in the event.

Gobourne secured All-SEC honors for the second-straight season, coming on bars this year. She finished with a 9.905 NQS and was a second team All-American.

The Sarasota, Fla., native had five scores of 9.9 or better on bars for the Tigers this season. This included three 9.925s, setting a career best with those scores. Her first 9.925 came against Alabama (Jan. 10), helping the squad top the Crimson Tide and giving Gobourne SEC Specialist of the Week honors.

Stevens, of Phoenix, Ariz., was placed on the All-Freshman squad for her performances on vault this year. She put together a 9.855 NQS in the event, earning scores of 9.85 or higher five times.

With her selection to the All-Freshman Team, Stevens became the ninth newcomer since 2014 to earn a spot on the team. The Tigers have had a freshman selected every year since 2014.