NEW ORLEANS – The Auburn gymnastics team finished with a 196.775 in the first session of the 2024 SEC Championship Saturday in the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, finishing seventh overall.
Top-seeded LSU won the championship with a 198.075, while Alabama came in second (197.750). Kentucky finished third (197.600), Florida was fourth (197.300), Missouri came in fifth (197.275), Arkansas sixth (197.050) and Georgia eighth (196.075).
"I'm really proud of this team," head coach Jeff Graba said. "Obviously, we were a little tight at the beginning and I think our nerves were showing. But we really pushed all the way to the end. For a team that was picked to finish last in this conference, I have to say that I'm really proud that we beat that mark."
Highlighting the night was Auburn's performance in the final rotation, scoring a 49.400 to tie a season best on bars. Four Tigers finished with 9.9s, starting with fifth year Aria Brusch in the lead off spot. Senior Olivia Hollingsworth followed with a 9.9 to tie a career high. Fifth year Cassie Stevens and redshirt freshman Olivia Greaves capped the rotation with 9.9s with the score tying a career best for the latter.
Senior Gabby McLaughlin chipped in a 9.8 for the overall team score.
Auburn kicked off the meet on beam, going 49.150. Junior Sophia Groth led the charge with a 9.9, while Brusch and Stevens earned 9.85s. Hollingsworth earned a 9.8 and McLaughlin closed out scoring with a 9.75.
Floor saw the team earn another 49.150 in rotation two. Freshman Julianne Huff tied her career best with a 9.875 to lead the way. Stevens and Hollingsworth followed with 9.85s and Groth finished with a 9.825. Brusch's 9.75 contributed to the team score.
Auburn's vault squad went 49.075 in the third rotation and was highlighted by 9.9s from Huff and Stevens. That score finished tied for first at the end of the afternoon session and tied for fourth overall at the end of the night.
Groth led off with a 9.7, junior Sara Hubbard had a 9.775 and Hollingworth earned a 9.8.
Stevens went 39.500 in the all-around to finish second in the first session. Hollingworth finished with a 39.350.
Auburn will await its placement for the 2024 NCAA Regional Championship. The selection show is slated for 11 a.m. CT on Monday, March 25.
Auburn with a 196.775 at the SEC Championship
