Several starters returned to their usual positions on Friday night in No. 7 Auburn gymnastics’ meet with rival Georgia, who entered the meet as the No. 16 team in the nation.
A strong start by the Tigers on vault and a great finish on floor allowed them to cruise to a strong victory defeating the rival Gymdogs by over a full point, 197.550-196.075.
Auburn kicked off Friday’s meet by scoring 49.450 on vault. [autotag]Derrian Gobourne[/autotag] and [autotag]Sara Hubbard[/autotag] took home the events’ high scores with 9.900. Auburn’s outstanding opening act is a product of a hard week of practice following a short week.
“It is what we set out to do. Our whole week, that is what we have been focusing on, even starting strong in the gym,” [autotag]Olivia Hollingsworth[/autotag] said following Friday’s meet. “It meant a lot to us to achieve that goal that we were working for this week.”
Auburn mirrored their 49.450 vault score on floor. Three athletes reached a 9.90 score or higher, led by Gobourne’s 9.950.
Auburn reached a 197 score for the seventh time in eight meets on Friday, which led Gobourne to reflect on just how far the program has come in her five years on the Plains.
“A few years back, this would be a top score for us. We would be jumping up and down,” Gobourne said Friday. “Just being able to look at the (197.550) score and be like ‘alright, this is an OK night,’ it is inspiring honestly and I am so proud of this team. I’m so grateful and I can not wait to see what it looks like when we put it all together.”
Auburn hits the road for their final SEC meet of the season next Friday when they face No. 12 Kentucky in Lexington. Check out Friday’s results below.