LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 9 Auburn gymnastics team finished its first road trip with a 194.550 as the squad fell to No. 8 Kentucky in Lexington Friday night. The Wildcats finished with a 196.225.
"I was really happy with the team's fight and focus tonight," head coach Jeff Graba said. "The stayed determined throughout the whole meet. This was a tough meet because we asked a lot of some young people. We can definitely improve our execution and the small things can be fine-tuned, but I'm pleased with what we accomplished tonight."
The Tigers (0-2, 0-2 SEC) relied heavily on underclassmen as 15 of 24 routines came from freshmen and sophomores. Competing in the all-around for the first time in her career was freshman Olivia Hollingsworth, while classmate Gabby McLaughlin and sophomores Piper Smith and Adeline Sabados competed in three of four events.
"College gymnastics hits freshmen like a ton of bricks when they compete for the first time," Graba added. "It's especially difficult with no fans in the stands. I thought they did a really good job and learned a lot tonight."
Junior Derrian Gobourne put together a 39.075 in the all-around to finish third in the category.
Auburn continues its road swing, traveling to rival and No. 4 Alabama next Friday, Jan. 22. The two squad will face off at 7:30 p.m. CT in Tuscaloosa on SEC Network.
BARS
The Tigers opened up on bars and two freshmen in McLaughlin and Hollingsworth kicked things off, competing on the apparatus for the first time in their collegiate careers. Sophomore Anna Sumner went third and scored a 9.625, while classmates Piper Smith and Sabados put together a pair of 9.725s. Gobourne capped the rotation with a 9.825.
VAULT
Rotation two was vault and Auburn finished with a 48.800. Gobourne once again led the way with another 9.825 in the anchor spot. Freshman Payton Smith led off with a 9.7, competing for the first time in her career. Hollingsworth and Piper Smith followed with a pair of 9.75s and Sabados earned a 9.775 to close out team scoring.
FLOOR
Auburn finished with a 48.750 on floor, seeing career performances on the night. Junior Sabrina Cheney led off with a 9.75, tying a career high. McLaughlin put together a 9.7 and Sabados went fourth with a 9.775. That score set a career high for the Aurora, Colo., product. Senior Drew Watson finished with a 9.75 and Gobourne was awarded a 9.775.
BEAM
The Tigers concluded the night on beam with a 48.550. Watson led off with a 9.7, while Piper Smith and senior Meredith Sylvia led the squad with a pair of 9.775s. Hollingsworth and Gobourne added a 9.65 each.