FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 13 Auburn gymnastics team earned a 196.675 to set a season best on the road Friday night, falling to host and No. 4 Arkansas in Barnhill Arena. The host Razorbacks finished with a 197.225.
"It was a tough environment tonight against a really good team in Arkansas," head coach Jeff Graba said. "We are seeing some bright moments for the squad, but we're at the point where we need to have everyone ready to compete on any given night."
Auburn won at least a share of four of the five possible individual titles on the evening. Fifth year Cassie Stevens won the all-around with a 39.475, while taking a share of the vault crown and the out-right floor title. Freshman Julianne Huff shared the vault win with Stevens, while senior Gabby McLaughlin secured a share of the bars title.
"These are the positives we can take away," Graba said. "There were bright spots that I'm really happy with. I'm hoping we can build off of these moments as we get ready for another competition next week at home."
Auburn floor continued to shine as the squad put together another solid score, going 49.325 overall in the third rotation.
McLaughlin led the charge with a 9.9, earning her third-straight 9.9 or better in the event. Senior Olivia Hollingsworth followed with a 9.875, while fifth year Aria Brusch, junior Sophia Groth and Stevens each added 9.85s.
Auburn had big moments on vault in rotation two, going 49.275 as a team. Huff and Stevens each had a 9.9 to win a share of the title. That score was a career best for Huff. Junior Sara Hubbard tied her season best with a 9.875 and Groth led off with a 9.85. Hollingsworth chipped in a 9.75 to the team score.
The final rotation had the team on beam, going 49.200. Stevens captured the event title with a season-best 9.9. McLaughlin and Hollingsworth each had 9.875s and Brusch led off with a 9.825. Freshman Paige Zancan contributed to the overall team score with a 9.725.
Auburn opened the meet on bars with a 48.875. McLaughlin highlighted the rotation with a career-best 9.9 to win a share of the title. Hollingsworth (9.85), Stevens (9.825), Brusch (9.775) and Groth (9.525) also counted scores.
The Tigers return to Neville Arena for a quad meet, hosting Temple, Fisk and Talladega on February 2. The contest kicks off at 7 p.m. CT and will be streamed on SEC Network+.