Auburn gymnastics secured a 196.775 in the first session of the 2024 SEC Championships, securing a seventh-place finish.
LSU, the top-seeded team, clinched the championship title with a score of 198.075. Alabama secured second place with a score of 197.750. Kentucky claimed the third position with a score of 197.600, while Florida secured fourth place with 197.300 points. Missouri earned fifth place with a score of 197.275, Arkansas took sixth place with a score of 197.050, and Georgia finished in eighth place with a score of 196.075.
Head coach Jeff Graba expressed his pride in the team's efforts and commended their performance.
“I’m really proud of this team,” Graba said. “Obviously, we were a little tight at the beginning, and I think our nerves were showing. But we really pushed all the way to the end. For a team that was picked to finish last in this conference, I have to say that I’m really proud that we beat that mark.”
The Tigers began the SEC Championships on beam, achieving a score of 49.150. Junior Sophia Groth led off with an impressive 9.9. Aria Brusch and Cassie Stevens added a pair of 9.85s to the team's total while Olivia Hollingsworth followed closely behind with a 9.8. Gabby McLaughlin concluded the rotation with a score of 9.75.
Auburn’s floor rotation earned the team another 49.150. Freshman Julianne Huff tied her career best with a score of 9.875, leading the pack. Stevens and Hollingsworth followed with scores of 9.85 each, and Groth concluded with a 9.825. Brusch contributed a 9.75 on the second apparatus.
Moving to the third rotation, Auburn's vault squad achieved a score of 49.075. Both Huff and Stevens delivered 9.9s, resulting in a tie for first place at the end of the afternoon session and tying for fourth overall by the end of the night. Groth initiated the rotation with a score of 9.7, followed by junior Sara Hubbard with a score of 9.775 and Hollingworth with a score of 9.8.
The Tigers’ standout performance came in the final rotation, where they achieved a season-best score of 49.400 on bars. Four Tigers secured scores of 9.9 each, including Brusch, Hollingsworth, Stevens, and Olivia Greaves, the latter achieving a career-best score.
Stevens secured a total score of 39.500 in the all-around competition, clinching second place in the initial session. Hollingworth concluded with a total of 39.350.
Looking ahead, Auburn anticipates its placement for the 2024 NCAA Regional Championship, with the selection show scheduled for 11 a.m. CST on Monday, March 25.
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Grace Heim is a junior from Enterprise, Alabama, majoring in English Literature. She started with The Plainsman in January 2023.
