ATHENS Ga. – Sunisa Lee debuted a dazzling vault and won all four event titles to claim the all-around Friday and lead No. 7 Auburn to a 197.175-196.300 victory at Stegeman Coliseum, the Tigers' second win in program history at Georgia.
Lee anchored Auburn's first event, winning bars with a 9.925, but the Tigers trailed after the opening rotation.
On vault, Lee introduced a half-on front layout, a vault that had never been attempted before in NCAA gymnastics, earning a 9.925. Teammates Derrian Gobourne and Drew Watson each scored 9.9s to help the Tigers take the lead at the meet's halfway mark.
The freshman Olympic all-around gold medalist continued to shine on floor, scoring a career-high 9.95. She then closed out the night in style with a 9.975 on beam to become the first Auburn gymnast since Caitlin Atkinson in 2016 to sweep all four events.
"I knew I wanted to come to Auburn to make history and give all the other girls an opportunity to be great, too," said Lee, who won her fourth consecutive all-around with a 39.775. "It feels really good to do that."
Lee has quickly become one of college gymnastics elite all-arounders despite limited fall training while she competed on Dancing with the Stars.
"I get bored really easily, and I have really high expectations of myself," Lee said of her heavy workload. "I know if I want to do something, I'm going to do it."
"Really proud of the girls," said Auburn coach Jeff Graba, whose Tigers scored 197 or better in the sixth consecutive meet for the first time in program history. "I think they're starting to feel a little bit of the expectations. We're young, still making changes, still trying to get better and taking some risk. They're handling the pressure, doing a pretty good job with it. Overall, very pleased with the group tonight."
Fellow freshman Sophia Groth competed in all-around for the first time at Auburn, scoring a 39.425 to help the Tigers earn the rivalry road win.
"I've been working toward that goal," said Groth, who matched her career beam high with a 9.95. "I was really excited this week. I had some really great practices so I was hoping I was in the bar lineup and was confident in my abilities.
"I love making history with this team and it happens week after week. I know we have a lot more left. I'm looking forward to building off of this."
The Tigers displayed their mental toughness on bars and beam, delivering clutch routines after early falls left Auburn with minimal margin for error.
"I know we're really good when we're clicking," Graba said. "I want to know how good we'll be if we get into a struggle. I think it says that our team is better and is growing tonight. You go on the road, you've got to grind it out and you've got to win some of these. For this young group to do it with some struggles, they better take some confidence from that."
The Tigers return to Auburn Arena next Friday to host Kentucky at 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
BARS
Lee captured the bars title with a 9.925 in the anchor spot, leading the Tigers to a 49.150 in the opening rotation. Junior Adeline Sabados led off with a 9.8, while Groth and junior Cassie Stevens put together a 9.775 and 9.8, respectively. Gobourne added to the team score with a 9.85.
VAULT
Auburn started to find its stride in rotation two, scoring a 49.400. It was the second-highest score in the event for the team this season. Lee once again anchored with a career-high 9.925. Watson and Gobourne came in second overall with a 9.9 each, while Sara Hubbard added a 9.85. Groth capped scoring with a 9.825.
FLOOR
The team's 49.425 in third on floor was once again its second highest in the event this year. Lee tied her career high with a 9.95. Groth, Stevens and Gobourne each earned a 9.875 and Watson chipped in a 9.85.
BEAM
Auburn held on in the last rotation, putting together a 49.150 on beam. Lee's 9.975 tied a career best to win the event. Groth also tied her career high with a 9.95. Junior Piper Smith put together a 9.825 and Steven added a 9.8. Sophomore Gabby McLaughlin's 9.65 also added to the team score.
Lee sweeps event titles, No. 7 Auburn earns program’s second win at Georgia
