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A spirit that is not afraid

Women's gymnastics team sets school record

Auburn's Caitlin Atkinson competes on the beam against LSU  Friday, Feb. 22. (Courtesy of Todd Van Emst)
Auburn's Caitlin Atkinson competes on the beam against LSU Friday, Feb. 22. (Courtesy of Todd Van Emst)

The No. 14 women's gymnastics team scored a school record of 197.175 points against No. 6 LSU, who put up 196.975 points Friday, Feb. 22.
The previous record was 197.00 against Florida in 2004.
Trailing 147.725 to 148.075 after the third rotation, Auburn snatched victory from LSU's jaws in the final rotation.
"I'm excited," Auburn Coach Jeff Graba said. "This is what we expect to see every night. It still wasn't a perfect night for us, but it's as close as we've gotten all year. I'm really proud of the team."
On vault, Auburn gymnast Brianna Guy and LSU's Randi Lau, Maliah Mathis and Britney Taylor tied for first with a score of 9.925; on bars Auburn's Petrina Yokay and LSU's Sarie Morrison tied for first with a score of 9.950; on the beam, Auburn's Megan Walker took first with a score of 9.875; and Auburn's Caitlin Atkinson and Brianna Guy took first on the floor with a score of 9.925.
"You have to get to the last rotation and be within striking distance and we were able to do that," Graba said. "On top of it, you've got to do your thing. We left everything out on the table."
Atkinson, Toi Garcia, Brittany Webster and Yokay each notched career bests on floor exercise, while Caryn Kadous posted a season high in the event.
In the all-around, Atkinson won her third all-around title of the season and set a career best with a score of 39.550. Yokay set a career high with 39.325 and Guy tied her career best with a score of 39.475.
"I feel like this team has been capable of this," Graba said. "I feel like this was in the mix all year and it's just a matter of us hitting. I'm absolutely excited about it."
LSU suffered a few stumbles on the beam in their final rotation.
"They had an error on beam, and I would say we weren't real clean on bars," Graba said.
Graba said the team was going work on cleaning up the little things.
"We left a few tenths out on the floor tonight," Graba said. "Bars and beam are two areas, and then we didn't stick many vaults. We've got improvements to make."
Graba said that the gymnastics team was trying to solidify some lineups and make sure everyone was competing fit.
"A lot of it is getting our girls healthy," Graba said. "We're as healthy as we've been since January."
Auburn Gymnasty, a group that paints themselves in support of the Gymnastics team, showed as much spirit as Aubie.
"I've been coming to meets for five years, and this is the best meet I've ever seen," said Manny Winston, Auburn Gymnasty member. "Our girls are setting records and beating our opponents. I'm really proud."
Auburn competed in front of a crowd of 4,448 as fans packed in to show their support.
"This was my first time with Gymnasty," said Brandon Way, sophomore in molecular biology. "I'm proud of our girls beating a higher ranked team and I can't wait to support them at the next home meet."
Graba attributed hard work ethic to Auburn's victory.
"We're extremely young, but they keep their heads down and keep plugging away and that pays off," Graba said.
The Auburn Tigers' next meet is against Maryland Friday, March 1, at home.


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