The No. 8 Auburn Tigers welcomed the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide into Auburn Arena tonight for the Iron Bowl of gymnastics. Auburn got the night started on the vault, Alabama got their night started with the bars. After the first rotation, Auburn was leading 49.175 to 49.125. On vault for Auburn, Cassie Stevens recorded a 9.775, Sophia Groth recorded a 9.850, Suni Lee recorded a 9.875, Sara Hubbard recorded a 9.800, Drew Watson recorded a 9.825, and Derrian Gobourne finished it out by recording a 9.825. On the bars for Alabama, Lilly Hudson recorded a 9.775, Mati Waligora recorded a 9.800, Shania Adams recorded a 9.775, Cam Machado recorded a 9.850, Luisa Blancho recorded a 9.925, and Makarri Doggettefinished it out by recording a 9.425.
In the second rotation, Auburn was on bars and Alabama was on vault. For the Crimson Tide, Shallon Olsen earned a 9.900, Mati Wailgora earned a 9.825, Kaylee Quinn earned a 9.750, Lexi Graber earned a 9.725, Makarri Doggette earned a 9.925, and Luisa Blanco closed this rotation out for Alabama by earning a 9.275. For the Tigers, Drew Watson earned a 9.775, Cassie Stevens earned a 9.825, Piper Smith earned a 9.825, Aria Brusch earned a 9.850, Derrian Gobourne earned a 9.825, and Suni Lee closed the second rotation out for Auburn earning a 9.925. At the end of this rotation, Auburn led 98.525 to 98.150.
In the third rotation, Auburn was on the balance beam, while Alabama was doing their floor exercise portion. For the Tigers, Olivia Hollingsworth picked up a 9.750, Aria Bruschpicked up a 9.850, Cassie Stevens picked up a 9.875, Sophia Groth picked up a 9.825, Gabby McLaughlin picked up a 9.925, and Suni Lee closed out the third rotation for Auburn by picking up a 9.975. For the Tide, Cam Machado picked up a 9.825, Shallon Olsen picked up a 9.675, Mati Wailgora picked up a 9.825, Lilly Hudson picked up a 9.900, Luisa Blanco picked up a 9.850, and Lexi Graber closed out the third rotation for Alabama by picking up a 9.925. After the third rotation, Auburn led Alabama 147.975 to 147.475.
In the fourth and final rotation, Auburn was on the floor exercise portion and Alabama was on the beam portion. For the Crimson Tide, Ella Burgess opened up the beam portion of the meet by receiving a 9.900, Makarri Doggette followed that up by receiving a 9.700, Lexi Graber received a 9.925, Mati Waligora received a 9.925, Lilly Hudson received a 9.925, And Luisa Blanco closed out the beam portion of the meet for the tide tonight receiving a 9.975. For the Tigers, Cassie Stevens started out strong by receiving a 9.875, Aria Brusch followed that up by also receiving a 9.875, Sophia Groth received a 9.900, Drew Watson received a 9.900, Suni Lee received a 9.925, and Derrian Gobourne closed out Auburn’s floor exercise segment tonight by receiving a 9.275.
When it was all said and done tonight, Auburn knocked off Alabama 197.525 to 197.125. Auburn recorded their second highest score in program history. Drew Watson was present in the press conference tonight. She was asked how to put this into words. She emotionally responded that she could not. Then she was asked about her recent success, and she responded that she plans to keep working a getting better. She also mentioned that when speaking to a gymnast from Alabama, the other gymnast said that she wishes students would come out for meets like this in Tuscaloosa. Sunni Lee was also present. She talked about how amazing this meet was and how hungry the team was in preparing for this meet. She also mentioned that she plans on getting even better as the season continues. Sunni was asked about how tonight compared to some of the events she has competed at, and she said it is up there with the Olympics. During head coach Jeff Graba’s statement he mentioned how proud he was of the team and how nice it was to have such a great environment in Auburn Arena tonight. He was asked about Sunni’s progress recently. He said that she took control of her training this week and how he felt like putting her in the all-around was a no-brainer tonight. He was asked about how the girl’s feed off the atmosphere. He responded by saying it is what they came here for and in his opinion, it is the best atmosphere in college gymnastics.
Auburn will be back in action next Saturday, as they travel down to Baton Rouge to take on the LSU Tigers. The meet will take place on ESPN U at 3:00 pm.
