BERKELEY, Calif. – The Auburn gymnastics team closed out the 2024 season Friday night, scoring a 196.8 to finish third in the NCAA Berkeley Regional Semifinal in Cal's Haas Pavilion.
"I thought the team fought hard tonight," head coach Jeff Graba said. "You can't afford to lose anyone in a meet like this and unfortunately, we had to lose or modify big routines throughout the meet and paid the price."
Needing to finish in the top two of the four-team session to advance, Auburn was in excellent position after the first rotation, leading the meet after going 49.550 on floor. That score was the second-highest total for the team this season.
The team counted five scores of 9.9 or better, leading to the big start. Fifth year Aria Brusch led off with a 9.9 and was followed by a pair of 9.925s from junior Sophia Groth and senior Gabby McLaughlin. That score tied a season best for Groth. Fifth year Cassie Stevens and senior Olivia Hollingsworth closed out the rotation with a 9.9 each.
The Tigers moved on to vault and scored a 48.975. The team was led by a 9.875 from Stevens, while Groth and senior Sydney Schumaker led off with 9.8s. Hollingsworth and freshman Julianne Huff chipped in a pair of 9.75s.
Stevens highlighted bars for the team, scoring a 9.875 in the anchor spot. Hollingsworth earned a 9.85 for the team and McLaughlin followed with a 9.775. Groth and redshirt freshman Olivia Greaves added a 9.75 and a 9.725 for a 48.975 total.
The Tigers finished strong on beam, totaling a 49.300. Freshman Paige Zancan led off with a 9.9 to tie a career best, while Stevens and McLaughlin bookended the meet with 9.9s. Groth finished with a 9.85 and Hollingsworth had a 9.75.
Stevens came in fourth in the all-around with a 39.550, while Zancan, Stevens and McLaughlin finished tied for third on beam with their scores. Groth and McLaughlin came in a tie for fourth on floor with their 9.925s. Stevens has an opportunity to advance individually to the NCAA Championship, April 18-20, in Fort Worth, Texas at the conclusion of Sunday's regional final.
Top-seeded and host California (197.800) and Stanford (197.600) moved on to Sunday's Regional Final and will compete with No. 2 seed Denver and Arizona State.