No. 8 Auburn gymnastics wins 197.250-197.200 at No. 15 Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Posting the second highest road score in program history, No. 8 Auburn rallied in the final rotation to win at No. 15 Arkansas 197.250-197.200 before 10,345 Friday at Bud Walton Arena.

"Really happy with the girls," Auburn coach Jeff Graba said. "This is an extremely tough environment with a young team, a huge crowd and a lot of pressure. I'm really proud of how they handled it and accomplished the goals we wanted to accomplish coming in. All in all, a really good night."

Auburn scored a 49.375 on beam to overtake the Razorbacks, who finished on floor with a 49.3. Sophomore Gabby McLaughlin scored a 9.925 and freshman Sophia Groth scored a 9.9 to lead the Tigers' late comeback.

"I knew it was close going into beam, but I didn't waver," Groth said. "I was very confident with my beam routine and how I've been training. There's no feeling like it. There was little room for error. Being able to build and get better with every routine was an amazing feeling. Knowing we were on the road, which makes it even more difficult, made it even sweeter."

Freshman Sunisa Lee scored a 9.95 to win the bars title while senior Derrian Gobourne won the floor with a 9.925. Junior Cassie Stevens finished second in the all-around with a 39.225, including a 9.825 on beam.

Auburn's highest road score is a 197.325 at Georgia on March 4, 2016.

"Very happy with their mentality at the end," Graba said. "I do think the sky's the limit for this team. We're fully capable. We're capable of more than this. It's really tough competition in the gym to make lineups, and that's a secret for success."

After earning road victories in their first two meets, the Tigers make their 2022 Auburn Arena debut next Friday at 7 p.m. CT vs. Iowa State.

"This is a very special team. I think this is our year," Groth said. "Auburn gymnastics has a lot to show. I wasn't very surprised, but it was so much fun."
 
BARS
The Tigers started the night strong, scoring a 49.400 on bars in rotation one. That tied a program-best road score in the event. Freshman Sunisa Lee earned a share of the event title with a 9.95, setting a career high. Juniors Piper Smith and Aria Brusch each picked up season bests with a pair of 9.9s, while senior Derrian Gobourne chipped in a 9.85. Junior Cassie Stevens closed out with a 9.8.
 
VAULT
The second rotation had Auburn go 49.150 on vault. Gobourne and freshman Sophia Groth each earned 9.875s. That mark was a career high for Groth. Fifth year Drew Watson was awarded a 9.825, while Stevens and sophomore Gabby McLaughlin added a 9.8 and 9.775, respectively. The start on vault was a career first for McLaughlin.
 
FLOOR
Auburn put on a show in rotation three, earning a 49.325 on floor. Gobourne led the way with a 9.925, setting a season best. Lee made her floor debut with a 9.875 and Watson and Groth followed with a 9.85s. Brusch led off the event with a 9.825.
 
BEAM
Auburn sealed the road win with another stellar performance. This time, the Tigers put together a 49.375 on beam in the final rotation. McLaughlin led the way with a 9.925, while Groth and Lee added a 9.9 and 9.875, respectively. That score was a career best for Groth. Brusch finished with a 9.85 and sophomore Olivia Hollingsworth and Stevens earned 9.825s.
 
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Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer