After further review, No. 12 Auburn scores 197.025 to beat No. 9 Oregon State

AUBURN, Ala. – Minutes after No. 9 Oregon State celebrated what it thought was a come-from-behind win, a video review removed a deduction that gave No. 12 Auburn a dramatic 197.025-196.975 victory Friday at Neville Arena.

“Really proud of the fight in this group and the fact they keep their heads down, trust the process and keep plugging away,” Auburn coach Jeff Graba said of the Tigers’ season-high score. “Good things happen when you do that.”

Freshman Marissa Neal’s floor routine figured prominently in the meet’s outcome. Her 9.875 was initially dropped to a 9.775 after a neutral deduction reduced her score by a tenth. Auburn submitted a video inquiry, convinced Neal did not step out of bounds. After reviewing Neal’s routine, judges concurred, restoring her score to 9.875.

“I was able to review the video and was pretty confident that we’d get the tenth back,” Graba said. “She was close but we were able to prove she didn’t go out. It’s something we can build on.

“I trusted it,” Neal said. “I knew I was close to stepping out but it was fine.”

Opening on vault, stuck landings proved elusive for Auburn until Paige Zancan’s fabulous flight and flawless landing earned a 9.9, tying her career high and sharing the event title with Oregon State’s Karlie Chavez.

“It was really cool to go right after and keep the momentum going so that everyone behind me can finish up strong,” Zancan said.

“When she did that on vault, I think it settled us down,” Graba said. “A really good performance can stop the anxiety and help you get on a roll.”

Julianne Huff led off with a 9.75, followed by Sydney Schumaker’s 9.775 and Sara Hubbard’s 9.825. Freshman Katelyn Jong anchored with a 9.75 to give the Tigers a slight 49.0-48.950 lead heading into the second rotation after Oregon State Olympian Jade Carey anchored bars with a 9.9.  

On bars, Alex Irvine earned a 9.825 in the leadoff spot. Emma Grace Boyd and Olivia Hollingsworth each scored 9.75s, setting the stage for Olivia Greaves and Jong at the bottom of the lineup.

They did not disappoint, both sticking their landings and sharing the event title by scoring 9.925s, career highs for both, to give Auburn a 49.175 in the rotation and a 98.175-98.075 lead at the meet’s midpoint.

On beam in the third rotation, Zancan and Hollingsworth led off with 9.825s, setting the table for huge scores at the bottom of the lineup.

Jong registered another career high with a 9.925. Neal followed with a showstopping routine that earned a 10 from one judge, resulting in a career-best 9.975 to share the event title with Carey.  

“I was shocked,” Neal said. “It was the best feeling in the world because I’ve dreamed of that my whole life and I’m so proud. It shows I can do it. I didn’t doubt myself and I tried not to think too much.”

“They have stood up to pressure amazingly well,” Graba said of Auburn’s freshman stalwarts. “It allows the upperclassmen to settle down and do their thing. It’s helping everybody.”

Gabby McLaughlin anchored with a 9.9, giving Auburn three consecutive 9.9s or better and a huge beam total of 49.450 to lead 147.625-147.4 heading to the final rotation.

The Tigers built on their momentum on floor, with Greaves leading off with a career-best 9.85 and Groth following with a season-high 9.9 before Neal’s 9.875. McLaughlin anchored with a 9.875 for the Tigers.

Jong scored a 9.9 to finish with an all-around score of 39.5, second to Carey’s 39.625. Jong, Groth and Carey shared the event title on floor.

Oregon State also excelled on beam, with four 9.9s or better, including Carey’s anchor score of 9.975, scoring 49.575 to narrow Auburn’s final margin of victory to .05. 

“It’s a great feeling,” Zancan said of the hotly contested win. “We’ve put in a lot of time and energy into this sport so seeing it pay off was really good.”

Auburn wraps up the season’s first month next Friday at Kentucky at 6 p.m. CT.

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer