AUBURN , Ala. - By the time Derrian Gobourne adjusted her imaginary crown after another mesmerizing floor routine, the largest regular season home crowd in Auburn gymnastics history had been cheering for nearly two hours.
"It was so fun," said Gobourne, who won the floor title tying her career best with a 9.975. "I really needed that extra energy. It was awesome. It helps us perform well."
The No. 7 Tigers scored a season-high 197.350 in their home opener Friday before 9,121 at Auburn Arena, the first of five home sellouts in an expanded gymnastics seating configuration, easily outdistancing Iowa State's 195.575.
Earning a 10 from one judge, Gobourne's floor routine secured the second highest team score in program history.
"That's her," Auburn coach Jeff Graba said. "She's fun, she's absorbing the energy and putting on a great performance. At some point, that thing's going to go 10 with both judges. There are some people who thrive in the spotlight. She's the ultimate. She gets better the higher the pressure and the more the attention. She deserves this."
Auburn's lineup featured a half-dozen changes, Graba said, a testament to the team's depth.
"Really proud of the girls tonight," he said. "I couldn't be more excited for a young team that's only getting better. A record-setting crowd helped us do this."
Gobourne and Olympic all-around gold medalist Sunisa Lee, making her Auburn Arena debut, shared the event title on bars with each scoring 9.9.
Reigning SEC freshman of the week Sophia Groth and fifth year Drew Watson helped the Tigers start strong, sharing the team lead on vault with 9.875s.
Groth and Gabby McLaughlin shared the event title on beam, with each recording a 9.9.
Aria Brusch tied her career floor best with a 9.9 and scored 9.875s on bars and beam.
"Having the arena packed and having people screaming for you is way different than being away," Brusch said. "It makes you want to do better and put on a show. Last year, we had to bring our own energy. Having the crowd there makes it 10 times easier."
Auburn hosts in-state rival Alabama next Friday at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
"We talk a lot about iron sharpens iron in the gym," Graba said. "The depth is the whole story tonight. We've got to get better on some stuff. We've got some things we have to clean up."
"It's so exciting to see us do great things, and we're not even at our best," Gobourne said. "We're going to go back and continue to work and perfect our craft."
VAULT
Auburn opened the night on vault and put together a solid 49.250. Groth tied her career best with a 9.875, while Watson also had a 9.875. Freshman Sara Hubbard and Gobourne added a pair of 9.85s, while sophomore Tara Walsh finished with a 9.8.
BARS
The Tigers went to bars for the second rotation and earned a 49.375 overall. Gobourne and Lee earned a share of the event title as each earned a 9.9. Brusch set a season best with a 9.875, while Watson and junior Cassie Stevens led off with 9.85s for season bests.
BEAM
The squad tied its season best on beam in rotation three with a 49.375 and were led by Groth and McLaughlin. The pair shared the event title with 9.9s. Sophomore Olivia Hollingsworth led off with a career-best 9.875 and Brusch followed with another 9.875 to tie her career mark. Stevens chipped in a 9.825 on the night.
FLOOR
Auburn set a season high on floor in the final rotation with a 49.350. Gobourne shined in the anchor as she tied her career score with a 9.975. Brusch tied her career high with a 9.9 and Groth added a 9.85. Watson finished with a 9.825 and Hubbard kicked off the rotation with a career-high 9.8.
No. 7 Auburn scores 197.350 before record home crowd
