auburn gymnastics – Syndication Server

Gabby McLaughlin wins SEC Specialist of the Week

The senior captured two event titles in Auburn’s quad meet win last Friday.

No. 14 Auburn gymnastics posted its season-high overall score on Friday, and one of its best competitors is being recognized due to her strong efforts.

The SEC announced Tuesday that senior [autotag]Gabby McLaughlin[/autotag] has won SEC Specialist of the Week after winning two event titles in Auburn’s quad meet win over Fisk, Temple, and Talladega last Friday, where the team scored 197.425.

McLaughlin scored a 9.925 on the beam in Friday’s competition and reached a career-high on floor with a 9.95. Floor has been her strongest event this season, as she has scored a 9.9 or higher in four straight meets. Between floor, beam, and bars, McLaughlin has posted 9.9 eight times this season.

McLaughlin and the Tigers host No. 7 Alabama on Friday for what is expected to be a solid meet between two of the nation’s best squads. Alabama averages an overall score of 197.285, with bars being its strongest event with an average score of 49.460. As for Auburn, the Tigers average an all-around score of 196.950, with beam being their strongest.

The Tigers and Tide square off on Friday at 8 p.m. CT at Neville Arena.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

Auburn gymnastics vs. Kentucky: How to watch Friday’s home opener

The No. 11 Tigers host No. 9 Kentucky on Friday for the 2024 home opener at Neville Arena.

The No. 11 Auburn Tigers face the No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats on Friday night at Neville Arena, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

After a successful start to the 2024 season last weekend in Las Vegas, the No. 11 Auburn Tigers are set to host the No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats for the home opener at Neville Arena.

Auburn scored 196.600 in their debut meet, the Mean Girls Super 16 Championships. The Tigers came in third place, defeating then-No. 5 UCLA as part of a quad-meet session with No. 4 Alabama and No. 6 California. Kentucky, who participated in the same competition, scored 196.775. The Wildcats defeated No. 14 Michigan State and No. 20 Michigan as part of their session and lost only to No. 1 Oklahoma.

Head coach Jeff Graba welcomes the idea of hosting a top-10 squad for the home opener.

“I think it’ll be a really good test,” Graba said of Kentucky. “We’re just excited to get in Neville Arena. This is what they all signed up for. You can taste the excitement in our practice facility. I love the fact that we have top 10 teams coming. My goal is to beat them in the end of the year.”

Below, you will find everything you need to know ahead of Friday’s meet between No. 11 Auburn and No. 9 Kentucky such as a broadcast guide, last week’s leaders, and key gymnasts to watch.

Auburn gymnastics checks in at No. 11 in latest ranking by Road to Nationals

The Tigers have another challenging meet ahead of them as they host No. 9 Kentucky on Friday.

After a successful opening weekend in Las Vegas, Auburn gymnastics is nearing a top-10 ranking.

Auburn posted a 196.600 in last weekend’s Mean Girls Super 16 Championships, beating then-No. 5 UCLA in the process. The Tigers’ high score in Saturday’s competition pushes them to No. 11 in this week’s rankings from RoadToNationals.com. Rankings from Road To Nationals are based on average all-around scores every week.

“It’s obviously really early in the season and I’m more interested in how we’re ranked closer to the end,” Auburn head coach Jeff Graba said of the rankings. “However, I think being ranked 11th right now is exciting for such a team that has many new faces and many experienced gymnasts in new positions. It was a great start to the season in Vegas, but we had some work to do as we enter SEC competition.”

This week’s rankings are dominated by SEC squads, as six of the conference’s seven programs reside in the top 25. Missouri, Alabama, and LSU check in at No. 3-5 respectively. Georgia slides into the No. 15 slot this week.

Auburn’s next opponent, Kentucky, checks in at No. 9 this week after scoring 196.775 in their opening weekend meet in Las Vegas. The Wildcats finished second behind No. 1 Oklahoma and finished ahead of No. 14 Michigan State and No. 20 Michigan in a quad meet.

The Tigers square off with Kentucky on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. CT at Neville Arena in Auburn.

Gymnastics opens season with 196.600 at Mean Girls Super 16 Championships

The No. 17 Tigers open the season by taking down No. 5 UCLA in Las Vegas.

The No. 17 Auburn Gymnastics squad opened the season by scoring 196.600 in its first competition of the season.

Auburn traveled to Las Vegas to compete in the Mean Girls Super 16 Championships on Saturday to take part in a quad match with No. 5 UCLA, No. 7 California, and No. 8 Alabama. The Tigers finished third in the meet, defeating UCLA (196.550) and finished behind Alabama (197.125) and California (196.850).

“Overall, I feel like we just had a really good night,” head coach Jeff Graba said following the meet. “I’m really happy with the fight that this team showed. We have a lot of new people in new positions, but I really felt like they stayed focused throughout all four events. I think that is going to bode well for the future.”

[autotag]Sara Hubbard[/autotag] carried the Tigers on vault by scoring a 9.875. [autotag]Sydney Schumaker[/autotag], [autotag]Julianne Huff[/autotag], and [autotag]Olivia Hollingsworth[/autotag] also scored a 9.8 in the event. On bars, three Tigers reached a 9.9 or better with [autotag]Cassie Stevens[/autotag] earning a 9.925.

Hollingsworth and [autotag]Gabby McLaughlin[/autotag] each scored a 9.850 on beam. Hollingsworth also joined Stevens by scoring a 9.9 on floor to close the meet.

Hollingsworth ended the event with the fourth-highest all-around score with a 39.450. She is expected to be one of the heavy hitters this season following the departures of [autotag]Suni Lee[/autotag] and [autotag]Derrian Gobourne[/autotag]. She has trained hard this offseason, and her work paid off in Las Vegas.

“I’ve just been working hard and so I decided just to trust my training this year,” Hollingsworth said Saturday. “I know that I can score well and do my routines really well, so I just trusted myself tonight and it paid off.”

The Tigers open the home slate next Friday against No. 9 Kentucky. The meet begins at 7:30 p.m. CT inside Neville Arena, and will be broadcasted by SEC Network.

Auburn checks in at No. 17 in WCGA preseason rankings

Auburn, as well as the rest of the SEC, is set to be extremely competitive again in 2024.

Preseason rankings were released Friday and the Auburn Tigers are ranked No. 17 according to the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association’s poll.

The SEC is set to be a very competitive environment this year, as all eight teams rank in the top 20, and four are ranked in the top 10. The Florida Gators are the conference’s highest squad, checking in at No. 2 in the initial poll.

Without [autotag]Derrian Gobourne[/autotag] and [autotag]Sunisa Lee[/autotag] on this year’s roster, Auburn head coach [autotag]Jeff Graba[/autotag] knows that his team will have to perform at a high level each week to achieve their goals for this season.

“The SEC is always very competitive, and this year is no different,” Graba said in a press release. “It will be a tight season once again this year with every conference team in the top 20. It will be a very exciting year and we’re looking forward to getting the season started!”

Despite Lee and Gobourne not returning this year, Auburn returns several key performers such as [autotag]Gabby McLaughlin[/autotag], [autotag]Olivia Hollingsworth[/autotag], [autotag]Sophia Groth[/autotag], and [autotag]Cassie Stevens[/autotag]. Several talented transfers have also joined the roster this offseason, such as [autotag]Anna Hill [/autotag](Temple) and [autotag]Madelynn Crow[/autotag] (Georgia).

Auburn will officially open the season on January 6th at the 2024 Super 16 Challenge in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Auburn gymnastics reveals 2024 home schedule

It’s another loaded slate of home meets for Auburn in 2024.

Auburn gymnastics unveiled its home schedule for the 2024 season on Monday and there will be some great matchups on the Plains. The schedule includes meets against perennial powers, as well as the first quad meet in Neville Arena history.

“There’s no place like the Southeastern Conference where you can create a home schedule like this,” head coach [autotag]Jeff Graba[/autotag] said. “It will be a tremendous challenge and a lot of fun in 2024. On top of a great conference schedule, we’re excited to host the first regular season quad meet in Neville Arena history. So, fans need to renew their tickets soon!”

Auburn is entering a new era without superstars [autotag]Suni Lee[/autotag] or [autotag]Derrian Goubourne[/autotag] but is returning veterans [autotag]Cassie Stevens[/autotag], [autotag]Sophia Groth[/autotag] and [autotag]Aria Busch[/autotag]. Former five-star recruit [autotag]Olivia Greaves[/autotag] is also set to compete after missing last season with an injury.

While the road schedule has not been revealed, the Tigers will have five home meets during the season and here is a look at each matchup.

Anna Hill to join Auburn gymnastics via transfer portal

Hill becomes the third transfer to join the program ahead of the 2024 season.

[autotag]Anna Hill[/autotag] announced on social media that she would be transferring from Temple to Auburn.

Hill played a vital role in Temple’s lineup on floor and vault and posted career highs of 9.9 in both last season.

Hill committed after 2023 signee [autotag]Lyden Saltness[/autotag] announced that she would be joining the Illinois Fighting Illini instead.

Auburn’s signing class includes [autotag]Emma Grace Boyd [/autotag], [autotag]Julianne Huff[/autotag], and [autotag]Paige Zancan[/autotag]. The Tigers have also added former Georgia gymnast [autotag]Madelynn Crowe[/autotag] and former Kentucky gymnast [autotag]Lila Smith[/autotag].

Auburn lost gymnasts [autotag]Suni Lee[/autotag] and [autotag]Derrian Gobourne[/autotag] from last season’s roster but will return a plethora of talent in [autotag]Cassie Stevens[/autotag], [autotag]Aria Brusch[/autotag], [autotag]Olivia Hollingsworth[/autotag], [autotag]Sophia Groth[/autotag], and [autotag]Gabby McLaughlin[/autotag].

Anna Hill, rising junior, announces her transfer!

Temple ➡️ Auburn pic.twitter.com/znmtFGoJo2

— NCAA Gym Updates (@ncaagym_updates) July 12, 2023

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=702301474]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Daniel on Twitter @DanielJLocke

Suni Lee is set to make her return to gymnastics

She will be making her aticipated return at the U.S. Classic.

Auburn’s [autotag]Suni Lee[/autotag] is returning to competitive gymnastics, Team USA announced that she will be participating in the 2023 U.S. Classic on Wednesday.

Lee was forced to miss the second half of her sophomore season on the Plains due to a kidney issue and is gearing up for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

The U.S. Classic will take place from Aug. 4-5 and will be held in the NOW Arena in Chicago. It will be Lee’s first time competing with Olympic scoring since she won the all-around gold at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

She isn’t the only former all-around gold winner making her return, Simone Biles will also be making her return after taking the past three seasons off.

The event is the final qualifying event for the U.S. Championships, which will take place from Aug. 24-27 in San Jose, California.

[lawrence-auto-related count=2 category=692566187]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15

Tigers pick up two more gymnasts for 2024 season through the transfer portal

Jeff Graba adds two experienced members to a stacked 2024 roster.

The Auburn Gymnastics roster just got deeper as head coach [autotag]Jeff Graba[/autotag] and company has added two transfers to an already deep roster.

The new additions are [autotag]Madelynn Crow[/autotag] and [autotag]Lila Smith[/autotag].

Crow is a former Georgia Bulldog coming to Auburn as a sophomore. She is a native of Williamson, Georgia with notable accomplishments such as qualifying for the USAG Level 10 Development Program National Championships and being the first female at her high school to bring home a state title in Gymnastics.

Graba’s take on Crow: “We are so excited to have Madelynn join the Auburn gymnastics family. She brings a wealth of experience with her and has been successful at nearly all the levels of our sport. Having experience in the SEC is also going to be very beneficial as we are looking to build our team depth on all events. Even though Madelynn is best known for her beam proficiency, she should add needed depth on all the events.

Smith is a junior and a former Kentucky Wildcat. She is from Atlanta, Georgia, and competed with the same gym as Crow, Georgia Elite. She was also a USAG Level 10 Development Program National Championship qualifier and won state titles on beam and in the all-around.

Graba’s take on Smith: “We are eager to have Lila join our program as she is coming off a very successful run with another successful program. Her experience in the SEC will help as our young team will be looking to their teammates with experience as we enter this next season. Lila should give us needed depth on all the events early on.”

These two transfers will be a great addition to the 2024 roster. Crow and Smith will join an experienced roster that will feature [autotag]Aria Brusch[/autotag], [autotag]Cassie Stevens[/autotag], [autotag]Sophia Groth[/autotag], and [autotag]Olivia Hollingsworth[/autotag].

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=692566187]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Daniel on Twitter @DanielJLocke

Photo Gallery: A look back at Derrian Gobourne’s time at Auburn

“The Queen” had a memorable five-year career on the Plains. Here’s a look back at some of her key moments.

The 2023 season for Auburn Gymnastics was truly an “end of an era” type of season.

Since 2019, Auburn Gymnastics has competed in three NCAA Regionals, and one NCAA National meet. One constant in Auburn’s incredible run has been [autotag]Derrian Gobourne[/autotag].

Gobourne arrived on Auburn’s campus in 2019 and has been a staple in the all-around lineup over the last five seasons. She has been a member of the All-SEC team in all five seasons that she has competed for Auburn and has won a national championship, doing so on vault in 2019.

Several other awards that Gobourne earned during her time at Auburn include: WCGA All-America (2020-23), NCAA All-American (2019, 2022), SEC Specialist of the Year (2023), and SEC Co-Specialist of the Year (2019).

Gobourne concluded her collegiate career in Forth Worth, Texas in the 2023 NCAA Championships, competing in the individual floor event. Gobourne’s final performance earned her a 9.9125.

“I was just grateful at the end,” Gobourne said after competing. “Grateful that I had a great career and that I was able to end it like that at nationals.”

Re-live the exciting career of Derrian Gobourne by checking out some of the best photos from her time at Auburn: