AUBURN, Ala. – When Auburn gymnastics reached the NCAA Final Four for the first time this spring, senior Allie Riddle contributed in ways that didn't show up on the scoreboard.
Organizing Tiger Walks, encouraging teammates and guiding a young team competing in postseason for the first time in three years because of the pandemic. The senior from Mobile provided a steadying, confident influence.
"We all have to take our own roles when things don't work out the way we want them to," said Riddle, who scored a career-best 9.95 on beam as a sophomore in 2019 after leading off on beam every meet as a freshman while never counting a fall all season. "Obviously you want to be competing, but I've had the role of competing and I've had the role of cheering on, so I was able to guide this team.
"A lot of this team hadn't been to postseason. I was able to guide the freshmen into understanding what postseason was like and help us along in getting to the Final Four. It was an honor."
Riddle's example not only inspired her teammates, it impressed Auburn's coaches and administrators, who nominated and selected Allie to receive the 2022 Leah Rawls Atkins award, presented annually for excellence in academics and athletics while modeling leadership, integrity and courage.
"I think it's more of a reflection of Auburn gymnastics," Riddle said on Pat Dye Field after receiving the award on Homecoming. "I feel like this is me accepting on behalf of Auburn gymnastics. This program means so much to me. It's really shaped who I am. I feel like this is me giving back and I'm so thankful."
An annual member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and graduate of Auburn University's College of Nursing, Riddle has recently accepted a position working in the cardiac intensive care unit of Children's of Alabama in Birmingham.
"I'm so excited to begin my career as a nurse and then continue on as a nurse practitioner as I further my education," said Riddle, who shared the 2021-22 SEC Brad David Community Service Award with Auburn senior diver Conner Pruitt, earning a $5,000 post-graduate scholarship.
Throughout her Auburn career, Riddle sought leadership positions, including serving as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in 2020-21.
A deserving recipient of the Leah Rawls Atkins Award, Allie Riddle enriched her team and campus, in and out of the gym.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer