Groth mindset: No. 12 Auburn scores 197.3 to floor No. 11 Georgia

AUBURN, Ala. – In a back-and-forth meet that went down to the final routine, Sophia Groth anchored with a season-best 9.95 on floor to lead No. 12 Auburn to a come-from-behind 197.3-197.2 win over No. 11 Georgia Friday at Neville Arena.

“It means everything. I’ve been working for a moment like this my entire career,” Groth said. “Being out last week, I was wanting to contribute any way I could. It was really special to be in that anchor spot and to know the work I’ve put in has paid off, and I got to be that clutch routine for our team. I felt so much joy inside.”

Trailing by a tenth heading to the final rotation, Auburn evened the score after the first five routines, setting the stage for two winner-take-all routines.

Georgia’s beam anchor earned a 9.775, giving the Tigers an opportunity for a walk-off win.

Anchoring for the first time in her career, Groth delivered, dancing, tumbling and smiling so much that she said her cheeks hurt, helping the Tigers earn their season-best score.

“Really happy that we have a deep squad,” Auburn coach Jeff Graba said. “Really happy for this group and not surprised. This is how good they are. I’m happy they rose to the occasion.”

Starting on vault, Sydney Schumaker and Sara Hubbard led the Tigers in the middle of the lineup, each scoring 9.875s. Sarah Zois anchored with a 9.825, following Paige Zancan’s 9.8. Sophia Bell’s 9.775 also counted toward the Tigers’ 49.150, which trailed Georgia’s 49.325 on bars.

Auburn moved to bars for its second event, overtaking Georgia thanks to Alex Irvine’s event title-taking 9.95 leadoff score.

“I like being in the leadoff spot,” Irvine said. “I knew once I hit the ground, it was good. I’m grateful for the opportunity to go first. I’m proud of myself that I was able to start us off. I’ve been trying to piece together my routines, meet after meet, hitting my handstands. That was the determining factor in my score.”

All five Auburn gymnasts scored 9.8 or better on bars, with Emma Grace Boyd and Olivia Greaves each earning 9.825s, Groth and Bryn Bartman scoring 9.85s, and Katelyn Jong anchoring with a 9.875 to give the Tigers 49.35 and a 98.5-98.45 lead heading to the third rotation.

Zancan and Groth led Auburn on beam, each scoring 9.9s while Jong added a 9.85. Leadoff gymnast Olivia Ahern and anchor McLaughlin each scored 9.8s to give the Tigers a 49.25 on beam.

Georgia finished with three consecutive 9.9s on floor to earn a 49.4 in the third rotation, taking a 147.85-147.75 lead into the final events.

“I have a lot of confidence in our floor squad,” Graba said. “Our practice gives me confidence. I wanted to go to floor within a tenth. I figured we would give ourselves a shot.”

Zancan opened with a 9.9, erasing Georgia’s lead all by herself. Bryn Bartman followed with a 9.85, Sophia Bell tied her career high with a 9.925, Greaves went next and scored a career-best 9.9, and McLaughlin scored a 9.875.

Georgia kept the pressure on by scoring consecutive 9.9s, then a 9.95 in the penultimate spot, heightening the drama for Groth’s grand finale, which gave Auburn a whopping 49.55 on floor and a dramatic victory.

The Tigers return to the road next Friday to face No. 2 Florida at 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network in Gainesville.