Auburn Gymnastics Shows Grit on the Road Despite Loss to Georgia
ATHENS, Ga. - The scoreboard didn’t tell the whole story Sunday night in Stegeman Coliseum. No.
11 Auburn may have fallen to No. 8 Georgia in a tough SEC road matchup, 197.550 to 196.050, but there were plenty of silver linings for a young Tigers squad still finding its rhythm away from home.
Head coach Jeff Graba summed it up best: “This was a really tough environment, but it was a great opportunity for us to get better as a team.” And while the final score might not have fully reflected the team’s growth, Auburn flashed some serious potential-especially in the final rotation.
Let’s start there, because the Tigers closed strong on beam, posting a 49.225 that showed the kind of composure and execution Graba’s been preaching. Sophomore Marissa Neal and junior Alex Irvine each delivered clutch 9.9s to tie for second in the event, while senior Hannah Hagle added a solid 9.825. Juniors Emma Wehry and Olivia Greaves chipped in with 9.8s, rounding out a rotation that looked like the Tigers were finally settling in.
And speaking of Neal-she continues to shine in the all-around. The sophomore claimed her second straight all-around title with a 39.250, showing poise and consistency across all four events.
“She’s a true competitor,” Graba said. “She wants to do whatever is best for the team.”
That mindset is clearly paying off, as Neal is quickly becoming one of Auburn’s most dependable athletes.
Auburn opened the meet on bars, where they posted a 48.700. It wasn’t their cleanest rotation, but there were bright spots.
Irvine anchored with a 9.825, showing veteran steadiness. Freshman Charlotte Booth contributed a 9.75, and sophomore Katelyn Jong followed closely with a 9.725.
Neal and Greaves each added 9.7s to round out the rotation.
Things picked up on vault, where the Tigers found their footing and energy. The team scored a 49.200-an encouraging sign, especially on the road.
Junior Julianne Huff led the way with a 9.875, sticking her vault and setting the tone. Freshman Mia Leverton added a 9.85, while Greaves, Neal, and sophomore Sophia Bell each scored 9.825.
For Greaves, that mark tied her career high, another sign of her steady development this season.
On floor, Auburn put up a 48.925 in the third rotation. Bell anchored with a 9.85, continuing her strong night.
Neal and sophomore Bryn Bartman each added 9.825s, keeping the Tigers in the mix. Irvine’s 9.75 and a 9.675 from sophomore Olivia Ahern rounded out the rotation.
Yes, the Tigers came up short in the final tally, but there’s no denying this team is trending in the right direction. With underclassmen stepping into bigger roles and veterans like Neal and Irvine leading by example, Auburn is building something. And they’ll get a chance to show it off at home soon enough.
Next up, the Tigers return to Neville Arena on February 6 to host Kentucky. That meet gets underway at 7 p.m.
CT and will be streamed live on SEC Network+. Expect a fired-up Auburn squad ready to bounce back in front of their home crowd.