Auburn Gymnastics Opens 2026 Season at No. 11 in WCGA Preseason Poll
The Auburn gymnastics team is heading into the 2026 season with some well-earned respect - landing at No. 11 in the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) preseason coaches poll. It’s a nod to both the program’s consistency and the belief that this year’s squad can keep the momentum rolling, even after graduating a senior class that left a big mark on the program.
Head coach Jeff Graba acknowledged the significance of the ranking, especially considering the transition underway. “It’s good to see that the collegiate coaches believe we will pick up where we left off last year after losing an impactful senior class,” Graba said.
“We are welcoming in a very talented freshman class and have worked hard to get to where we are today. It’s refreshing to see our peers recognize that hard work and rank us right where we left off last season.”
That kind of continuity is no small feat in college gymnastics, where team chemistry and lineup depth can shift dramatically from year to year. Auburn’s ability to maintain a Top 15 national presence speaks volumes about the program’s recruiting, development, and internal culture.
The SEC, as expected, continues to flex its muscle as the powerhouse conference in the sport. All nine SEC programs landed inside the Top 12 of the WCGA poll.
Oklahoma, LSU, and Florida took the top three spots, while Missouri (No. 7), Alabama (No.
8), Kentucky (No. 9), Arkansas (No.
10), Auburn (No. 11), and Georgia (No. 12) round out a stacked conference showing. That’s not just impressive - it’s a gauntlet.
Week in and week out, Auburn will be tested by some of the best teams in the country.
And the challenges don’t stop with SEC play. Auburn’s non-conference schedule features five opponents ranked in the Top 36, including a loaded Michigan State squad at No.
- Clemson (No.
19), NC State (No. 23), North Carolina (No. 24), and Boise State (No. 32) also appear on the Tigers’ schedule, offering a balanced mix of competition that will sharpen the team heading into the postseason.
For Auburn, the No. 11 ranking is more than just a number - it’s a statement that this program isn’t just surviving a transition year; it’s aiming to thrive in it. With a promising freshman class stepping in and a coaching staff that knows how to get the most out of its gymnasts, the Tigers are poised to make some noise in 2026.