Auburn Gymnastics Gears Up for Grueling Road Stretch Against Top Competition
The No. 17 Auburn gymnastics squad is staring down one of its toughest weekends of the season, and it’s all happening away from home.
Two meets in three days, two different states, and a whole lot of high-level competition await the Tigers as they prepare to face No. 2 LSU in Baton Rouge on Friday before heading to Fort Worth for the Metroplex Challenge on Sunday.
This is the kind of stretch that tests a team’s depth, focus, and resilience-and head coach Jeff Graba knows it.
“We knew we were going to have to have a couple double weekends this year when we were planning the schedule,” Graba said. “There are some benefits to having weekends like this on the calendar. It mimics postseason where we are going multiple days in one week.”
First Stop: Baton Rouge Battle
Friday night’s SEC showdown against LSU is the definition of a measuring stick meet. The Pete Maravich Assembly Center is one of the toughest environments in college gymnastics, and LSU-currently ranked No. 2-is a powerhouse. Auburn will need to be sharp from the first rotation to the last.
“There is no place in the SEC where you can hide,” Graba said. “Everybody is really, really good. I take Friday’s meet as a good challenge and it’s a great place to get our act together.”
Auburn’s rotation order for the LSU meet will be bars, vault, beam, and floor-an order that gives them a chance to build momentum early and finish strong.
Sunday: Podium Time in Fort Worth
After Friday’s duel, the Tigers head west to Texas for the Metroplex Challenge, one of the premier invitationals on the calendar. Auburn will compete against No.
13 North Carolina, No. 21 NC State, and Boise State on a podium setup-an elevated stage that mirrors what athletes will see in postseason meets.
For a young Auburn team, this is more than just another quad meet. It’s a chance to simulate the pressure and format of championship season.
“We knew we wanted to get on a podium and the Metroplex Challenge does that,” Graba said. “We also wanted to get into an invitational meet. And we also knew we had a young team that doesn’t have any idea what they’re getting into in postseason, so we need to train it and Sunday provides all this for us.”
The rotation order for Sunday: beam, floor, vault, and bars.
All-Around Talent Emerging
Auburn’s roster is starting to show real all-around potential, with four gymnasts earning top-eight status across all four events. Junior Julianne Huff and sophomore Marissa Neal headline that group. Huff is coming off a career-best 39.400 in the all-around against Kentucky, while Neal isn’t far behind with a 39.375 to her name.
Junior Olivia Greaves has competed in the all-around four times this season, and junior Alex Irvine is making her debut in the top-eight lists across all events-a sign of her growing impact.
Vault: Power and Consistency
The Tigers’ vault unit is tied for 10th nationally with a 49.195 average. This group brings a mix of experience and emerging talent. Junior Paige Zancan has already posted a 9.975 this season, while Huff and sophomore Sophia Bell have been reliable anchors.
Freshman Mia Leverton continues to impress, hitting 9.825 or better in every meet so far with her Yurchenko 1.5. Greaves, Neal, and Irvine round out a deep top eight, with junior Jersie Woolsey serving as a steady alternate.
Bars: Steady Hands and Big Scores
The bars lineup is built around consistency and poise. Huff is coming off a career-high 9.925, and Irvine has quietly become one of the team’s most dependable bar workers with a 9.840 average across five meets.
Greaves, junior Emma Grace Boyd, and sophomore Katelyn Jong bring experience, while Neal and Bryn Bartman have been solid contributors. Freshman Charlotte Booth has competed on bars in every meet so far and continues to earn her spot.
Beam: Quietly Climbing the Rankings
Beam has been a work in progress this season, but the Tigers are starting to find their groove. They’re currently ranked 12th nationally with a 49.145 average.
Neal leads the way with a 9.880 average, and Irvine is right behind at 9.862. Sophomore Olivia Ahern has been a steady presence at the top of the lineup, while senior Hannah Hagle continues to deliver solid scores-posting 9.8 or better in four of five meets.
Greaves, Huff, Zancan, Booth, and junior Emma Wehry round out a deep beam group. Wehry is aiming to make her third and fourth starts of the season this weekend.
Floor: Auburn’s Power Event
Floor has been one of Auburn’s most dynamic events this season, with the team tied for 11th nationally at a 49.265 average. Bell leads the way with a 9.885 average, followed closely by Huff (9.881) and Neal (9.875).
Bartman and Ahern both notched career highs last week-9.85 and 9.875, respectively-while Greaves has a 9.95 on her resume this season. Irvine has been in the floor lineup three times, and Wehry is pushing for more reps after competing in exhibition last week.
What’s Next
After this weekend’s road gauntlet, Auburn returns home for a marquee rivalry matchup against No. 3 Alabama on February 20 at Neville Arena.
The Tigers and Crimson Tide will square off at 7:45 p.m. CT, and the meet will be televised on SEC Network.
But first, it’s all about surviving and thriving through Baton Rouge and Fort Worth. If Auburn can stay composed, hit their routines, and lean into their depth, this weekend could be a turning point in their season.