AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 6 Auburn gymnastics team has a chance to make history once again on Friday night as the squad hosts No. 3 Florida in Auburn Arena.
With a win over the Gators, the Tigers can clinch a share of the SEC regular-season championship for the first time in program history.
"There hasn't been a bigger home meet ever than Friday," head coach Jeff Graba said. "Our athletes come to Auburn for moments like to and for a chance to win a championship. We're really excited to see what Friday brings."
Florida has already clinched the other half of the shared conference crown and a win would snap a 38-match skid to the Gators, dating back to 2004.
"Florida comes to town with a ton of experience and not that much pressure," Graba said. "It's just another meet, but it is a big opportunity to show who we are and to make a lot of history."
The meet itself is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. CT and will be streamed live on SEC Network+.
The Tigers are also set to recognize four seniors at the end of the meet in Jada Glenn, Derrian Gobourne, Allie Riddle and Drew Watson. In addition, the meet is the team's Alumni Meet and over 80 former Tiger gymnasts are set to attend.
AUBURN LINEUP
Depth and experience with a mix of new talent is what the Tigers will bring to the table in 2022.
Auburn will lead things off on vault where it ranks sixth nationally. Seniors Derrian Gobourne and Drew Watson lead the squad Watson is among the nation's top 15 in the event, while Gobourne is tied for 17th.
Freshmen Sophia Groth, Sara Hubbard and Sunisa Lee have all done well for the Tigers in the event this season, including a 9.925 from Lee. Sophomores Tara Walsh and Gabby McLaughlin with junior Cassie Stevens are also among the team's top eight.
Rotation two has the team on bars and will be led by experience bar workers. Lee is third nationally with a 9.935 NQS and a 10.0 under her belt. Gobourne, Aria Brusch, Sabados, Piper Smith and Stevens all add experience and big scores to the team's top eight.
Groth and sophomore Gabby McLaughlin have also worked their way into Auburn's potential lineup for bars.
Auburn's beam squad ranks fourth nationally at 49.395. Lee is tied for third in the nation at 9.940 and earned her first 10.0 last week. Groth is also in the top 10 nationally at 9.920.
Sophomore Olivia Hollingsworth with Brusch, Smith, Stevens and McLaughlin all bring big scoring potential to the lineup. Fifth year Allie Riddle is also once again among the top eight with an opportunity to compete.
Auburn's floor top eight will be highlighted by Lee, Gobourne and Watson. Hubbard and Groth are once again listed among the team's best, while Stevens, Sabados and fellow junior Morgan Leigh Oldham are also pushing for a spot in the lineup.
UP NEXT
Auburn makes a quick turnaround and heads to Huntsville for the annual Elevate the Stage meet, March 6. The Tigers will face off with Alabama, Georgia and Arkansas at 1 p.m. CT from the Von Braun Center.
Big opportunity awaits No. 6 Auburn vs. No. 3 Florida Friday
