In the first road meet for the undefeated Auburn gymnastics team, the No. 13 Tigers defeated No. 10 Missouri with a score of 195.825-194.975 on Saturday. With this victory, the Tigers move to 3-0 for the first time since 2002.
“Everything we wanted to accomplish, we got done today,” Auburn head coach Jeff Graba said. “We changed some routines up, and all the ones that we changed were successful. We wanted new kids in the lineup and in the exhibition spots, and everybody was successful. And we came on the road – this was a tough environment with the wrestling match going on at the same time, it’s an afternoon meet, it’s cold – and I thought the girls handled it really well.”
Leading the charge for the Tigers was sophomore Drew Watson (39.200) who narrowly edged her teammate Derrian Gobourne (39.100) for the all-around title. Watson didn’t win any individual event titles, but she scored a 9.750 or better on all four events, including a 9.850 on vault and a 9.800 on bars and floor.
“I think this meet was really good for us,” Watson said. “We fought like no other, and that’s what Auburn gymnastics is about.”
“I was glad Drew had the meet that she did because she wasn’t happy with her performance last week, and she wanted to redeem herself in her eyes,” Graba said. “I was happy with her performance. She’s starting to hit her stride right now, and it’s going to be fun to watch her and Derrian fight between themselves every week.”
For the second straight week, Gobourne won the individual title on the floor, scoring a hefty 9.875, and posted another 9.875 on vault, to share the individual title with teammate Gracie Day. The talented freshman also added a 9.800 on her bars routine.
Everything seemed to be clicking for the Tigers as they moved to vault. The team finished with another great score (49.025) lead by strong performances from Day, Gobourne and Watson.
Making her season debut for the team was junior Emma Slappey, who posted an impressive 9.775 to start her night. All six of gymnasts – Slappey, Skyler Sheppard (9.750), Watson (9.800), Gobourne (9.875), Milliet (9825) and Cerio (9.775) – scored a 9.750 or higher on the event as the team finished with a winning 49.050.
To close out the dominant victory was Texas native Taylor Krippner, who earned a team-high 9.775 on beam. The team collectively finished with a 48.475.
The undefeated Tigers look to continue their winning ways as they return home this Friday to host No. 10 Georgia in the “All Auburn, All Orange” meet, which is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. CST.
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