Auburn Gymnastics Hits the Road for SEC Opener at No. 10 Arkansas
AUBURN, Ala. - After opening the season in front of a home crowd, No. 6 Auburn gymnastics is packing its bags for the first road test of 2026 - and it’s a big one.
The Tigers head to Fayetteville to take on No. 10 Arkansas in their Southeastern Conference opener, with the meet set for Sunday at 5 p.m.
CT inside Bud Walton Arena.
This isn’t just a road trip - it’s a top-10 SEC showdown between two programs with serious postseason aspirations. And Auburn knows the challenge that comes with competing in Fayetteville.
“Arkansas is tough at home,” head coach Jeff Graba said. “We’ve got to stay in our bubble and focus on what we can control. If we can go in there, hit our routines, and bump up our average, we’ll be in a good place.”
Graba also noted the value of having a few extra practice days this week, especially as the team works through some early-season adjustments and brings key athletes back into the fold following setbacks in the fall.
“I like this team,” he said. “And I like that we’re going on the road. These are the meets that build character.”
Auburn’s Event Rotation: Bars, Vault, Floor, Beam
The Tigers will open the meet on bars and close on beam - a lineup rotation that will test their consistency and depth from start to finish.
In the all-around conversation, keep an eye on juniors Olivia Greaves and Julianne Huff, along with sophomore Marissa Neal. All three have been among the top eight performers across each event and are in position to potentially compete in all four rotations.
Bars: Veteran Core Leads the Way
Auburn kicks things off on bars, and this is where experience takes center stage. Greaves headlines a group that includes fellow juniors Emma Grace Boyd and Alex Irvine - all of whom bring a wealth of competitive reps. Greaves has 25 career starts on bars, Irvine has 13, and Boyd competed in every meet last season.
Huff, who made her debut on bars just last week, is back in the mix after a strong showing against NC State. Sophomore Bryn Bartman and freshman Charlotte Booth also return to the top eight after competing in the season opener. Another key addition is sophomore Katelyn Jong, who earned SEC All-Freshman honors on bars last year and is expected to rejoin the lineup.
Vault: Power and Precision
In the second rotation, Auburn heads to vault - and this is where the Tigers shine brightest. They enter the weekend as the top-ranked vault team in the country after posting a 49.475 in their opener.
Junior Paige Zancan delivered a show-stopping 9.975 last week, tying her career high and anchoring the lineup with authority. But it was sophomore Sophia Bell who made headlines, sticking a Yurchenko double full for a career-best 9.925 - the first time an Auburn gymnast has landed that vault in competition.
Greaves, Neal, Huff, and freshman Mia Leverton all contributed to that season-opening score and remain in the top eight. Junior Jersie Woolsey and freshman Brynn Torry round out the group, with Torry making her first appearance in the potential lineup.
Floor: Big Scores, Bigger Potential
Rotation three takes Auburn to the floor, where they currently hold the No. 1 national ranking after a 49.500 outing against NC State.
Bell and Greaves both notched 9.95s - career highs - while Bartman (9.85) and Huff (9.9) also posted personal bests. Those scores weren’t just impressive; they were a statement about the team’s depth and scoring potential.
Neal, Irvine, and junior transfer Emma Wehry are also in the top eight and could factor into the rotation. With this much firepower, Auburn’s floor lineup is one of the most dynamic in the country.
Beam: Closing with Confidence
Auburn will close the meet on beam - a pressure-packed rotation that demands poise. Sophomore Marissa Neal and Olivia Ahern led the way last week, each earning a share of the event title. Neal owns a career-best 9.975, while Ahern has been a rock-solid leadoff beam worker throughout her career.
Irvine, Huff, Greaves, and Wehry are all in contention for lineup spots. Senior Hannah Hagle and freshman Charlotte Booth are also pushing to crack the rotation, giving the Tigers plenty of options to finish strong.
What’s Next
After Sunday’s road test, Auburn returns home for a marquee matchup against No. 1 Florida on January 23.
That meet will take place inside Neville Arena at 7:45 p.m. CT and feature a 90s theme night for students - a fitting backdrop for what could be one of the biggest duals of the season.
The showdown will be televised on SEC Network.
But first, it’s all eyes on Fayetteville. Auburn’s road to SEC contention starts now - and it starts in a hostile environment, against a top-10 opponent, with a team that’s ready to prove it belongs in the national spotlight.