AUBURN, Ala. - The No. 7 Auburn gymnastics team welcomes Iowa State to Auburn Arena for its home opener Friday, Jan. 12. The Tigers and the Cyclones will face off at 7 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.
"Iowa State is a really good team and has the capability to come in and hit," head coach Jeff Graba said. "We've done a good job in the first two meets of not letting the external noise in so we're really going to just focus on us and on what we have to do to be successful."
The team opened the season with a pair of long road contests at North Carolina and nationally-ranked Arkansas, picking up wins in both places. The Tigers are looking forward to the comforts of the Plains this Friday.
"We're so ready to be home," Graba said. "We're coming off two tough road meets and excited to be in front of our home crowd. It's going to be packed arena and we can't wait to compete for our fans."
The team is set to perform in front of a new record crowd of 9,121 fans as all five meets this season are sold out.
"You can't really put into words the excitement we're feeling right now," junior Piper Smith said. "There is nothing like competing in Auburn Arena and we can't wait."
AUBURN LINEUP
Depth and experience with a mix of new talent is what the Tigers will bring to the table in 2022.
The first rotation has the squad on vault and the crew will be led by experienced seniors in Drew Watson and Derrian Gobourne. Watson is among the top 20 nationally and has a 9.95 under belt so far, while Gobourne is averaging a 9.875 through two meets.
Joining the pair on the team's Top 8 List is senior Jada Glenn and junior Cassie Stevens. Sophomores Gabby McLaughlin and Tara Walsh could potentially compete, while fresmen Sophia Groth and Sara Hubbard are also listed. The two newbies each have a 9.875 so far this season.
The team's top eight competitors on bars include freshman Sunisa Lee, who finished with a 9.95 last week at Arkansas. Gobourne and Watson are also listed with Stevens and fellow juniors Aria Brusch, Piper Smith and Adeline Sabados. Freshman Caroline Leonard also landed on the list. The squad is looking to improve on their 49.400 from the previous meet.
Auburn will head to beam for the third rotation after scoring a 49.375 against the Razorbacks. sophomore Olivia Hollingsworth, Brusch, Groth, Stevens, McLaughlin and Lee highlight the top eight. McLaughlin has a team-best 9.925 on the season, while Groth has a 9.9. Joining them on the list is Smith and Hubbard.
The final rotation has the Tigers on floor. Gobourne is expected to shine once again and will be joined by Watson, Stevens and Brusch with experience on the top list. Junior Morgan Leigh Oldham has moved into the top eight, while newcomers Hubbard, Groth and Ananda Brown also landed on the list.
UP NEXT
Auburn continues its homestand, hosting rival Alabama Friday, Jan. 28, in Auburn Arena. The meet will air on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. CT.
No. 7 Auburn hosts Iowa State in home opener
