The No. 7 Auburn Tigers traveled to Athens, GA to take on the Georgia Bulldogs at Stegman Coliseum. Auburn came into this meet off a 197.575-196.275 win against the Missouri Tigers at home in Auburn Arena last Friday night. Georgia came into this meet after losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide 197.475-196.800 in Tuscaloosa, AL at Coleman Coliseum last Friday night. In this meet, each team had six athletes competing in each event and they all had two attempts each.
In the first rotation, Georgia was on vault and Auburn was on bars. For Georgia, Amanda Cashman had a 9.75 and 9.80 for a 9.775 average. Mikayla Magee had a 9.85 and a 9.85 for a 9.85 average. Abbey Ward had a 9.85 and a 9.80 for a 9.825 average. Soraya Hawthorne had a 9.85 and a 9.85 for a 9.85 average. Rachel Baumann had a 9.85 and a 9.80 for a 9.825 average. To close out the first rotation for the Bulldogs, Megan Roberts had a 9.80 and a 9.85 for a 9.825 average. For Auburn, Adeline Sabados had a 9.80 and a 9.80 for a 9.80 average. Sophia Groth had a 9.75 and a 9.80 for a 9.775 average. Cassie Stevens had a 9.80 and 9.80 for a 9.80 average. Piper Smith had a 8.05 and a 8.10 for a 8.075. Derrian Gobourne had a 9.80 and a 9.90 for a 9.850 average. Suni Lee closed out the first rotation for Auburn by getting a 9.90 and a 9.95 for a 9.925 average. After the first rotation, Georgia was ahead 49.175-49.150.
In the second rotation, Auburn was on vault and Georgia was on bars. Tara Walsh got things going for Auburn by recording a 9.75 and a 9.80 for a 9.775 average. Sophia Groth recorded a 9.80 and a 9.85 for a 9.825 average. Sara Hubbard recorded a 9.85 a 9.85 for a 9.85 average. Drew Watson recorded a 9.90 and a 9.90 for a 9.90 average. Derrian Gobourne recorded a 9.90 and a 9.90 for a 9.90 average. Suni Lee recorded a 9.90 and 9.95 for a 9.925 average. For Georgia, Loulie Hattaway got things started by recording a 9.70 and a 9.70 for a 9.70 average. Abbey Ward recorded an 9.90 and a 9.20 for a 9.100 average. Katie Finnegan recorded a 9.90 and a 9.85 for a 9.875 average. Emily Schild recorded a 9.65 and a 9.45 for a 9.550 average. Megan Roberts recorded a 9.90 and a 9.90 for a 9.90 average. Victoria Nguyen closed out the second rotation for the Bulldogs by recording a 9.80 and a 9.80 for a 9.80 average. After the second rotation, Auburn had taken a 98.550-98.000 lead.
In the third rotation, Georgia was on beam, and Auburn was on floor. Mikayla Magee got the third rotation started for the Bulldogs by earning a 9.90 and a 9.90 for a 9.90 average. Emily Schild earned a 9.85 and a 9.90 for a 9.875 average. Sarah Cohen earned a 9.85 and a 9.85 for a 9.850 average. Victoria Nguyen earned a 9.85 and a 9.85 for a 9.850 average. Haley De Jong earned a 9.85 and a 9.90 for a 9.875 average. Rachel Baumann finished things up on the beam for Georgia by earning a 9.85 and a 9.80 for a 9.825 average. Sara Hubbard got the Tigers started on the floor by earning a 9.80 and a 9.80 for a 9.800 average. Drew Watson earned 9.85 and a 9.85 for a 9.850 average. Cassie Stevens earned a 9.90 and a 9.85 for a 9.875 average. Sophia Groth earned a 9.85 and a 9.90 for a 9.875 average. Suni Lee earned a 9.95 and a 9.95 for 9.950 average. Derrian Gobourne closed out the third rotation for Auburn by earning a 9.90 and a 9.85 for a 9.875 average. After the third rotation, Auburn was still on top 147.975-147.350.
In the fourth and final rotation, Auburn was on beam and Georgia was on floor. Olivia Hollingsworth was up first on beam for the Tigers, receiving a 9.10 and a 9.25 for a 9.175 average. Piper Smith received a 9.85 and 9.80 for a 9.825 average. Cassie Stevens received a 9.70 and a 9.90 for a 9.800 average. Sophia Groth received a 9.95 and a 9.95 for a 9.950 average. Gabby McLaughlin received a 9.60 and a 9.70 for a 9.650 average. Suni Lee closed out the night for the Tigers, receiving a 9.95 and the second perfect 10 of her college career for a 9.975 average. Alyssa Perez-Lugones got the last rotation started for Georgia by receiving 9.85 and a 9.65 for a 9.750 average. Mikayla Magee received a 9.90 and a 9.90 for a 9.900 average. Haley De Jong received a 9.75 and a 9.75 for a 9.750 average. Megan Roberts received a 9.50 and a 9.50 for a 9.500 average. Rachel Baumann received a 9.80 and a 9.80 for a 9.800 average. Soraya Hawthorne closed the meet out by receiving a 9.75 and a 9.75 for a 9.750 average. When it was all said and done, Auburn won the meet 197.175-196.300.
Jeff Graba was accompanied by Suni Lee and Sophia Groth in the post-meet press conference tonight. Suni Lee was asked about winning her fourth straight all-around with a 39.775. She answered, “I knew I wanted to come to Auburn to make history and give all the other girls an opportunity to be great, too”. Sophia Groth was in the all-around for Auburn tonight for the first time this season. When asked about it, she answered “I’ve been working toward that goal. I was really excited this week.” When asked about Auburn scoring 197 or better in six consecutive meets for the first time in program history, head coach Jeff Graba said, “Really proud of the girls, I think they’re starting to feel a little bit of the expectations.”
Auburn will be back in action against Kentucky at home in Auburn Arena next Friday at 6:30 pm. The meet will be televised on the SEC Network.
