Auburn Gymnastics Holds Steady at No. 11 After Florida Meet, Eyes Showdown with Georgia
AUBURN, Ala. - Four weeks into the season, the Auburn gymnastics team is holding its ground in the national rankings. After posting a 196.700 against Florida this past Friday, the Tigers remain at No. 11 in the country according to RoadToNationals.com. That score nudged Auburn’s season average to 196.642-good for eighth in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference.
Let’s be clear: in a league where the margin for error is razor-thin and the competition is elite from top to bottom, Auburn is still very much in the thick of things.
At the top of the national leaderboard, Oklahoma continues to set the pace with a 197.783 average, while LSU isn’t far behind at 197.467. Florida and Alabama are locked in a tie at No.
3 (197.417), and Arkansas rounds out the top five. It’s a familiar SEC-heavy top tier, and Auburn is right there trying to push their way into that upper echelon.
But don’t sleep on the Tigers’ event specialists-this team is putting together some serious routines.
Floor routines making noise
Auburn’s floor team has been a highlight, currently ranked seventh nationally with an average of 49.333. That’s not just solid-it’s the kind of consistency that wins meets. The Tigers are showing off depth and flair in this event, and the judges are taking notice.
Vault and beam trending upward
On vault, Auburn checks in at No. 8 with a 49.225 average. Junior Paige Zancan has been a standout here, earning a 9.9 that puts her ninth in the country. That’s elite company, and her explosive power off the table continues to be a difference-maker.
Beam, often the trickiest event to master under pressure, has also seen improvement. Auburn moved up to No. 11 with a 49.125 average-an encouraging sign as the season progresses and routines tighten up.
All-arounders stepping up
Sophomore Marissa Neal is emerging as a reliable all-around presence, climbing to No. 17 nationally with a 39.313 average. She’s showing poise across all four events, and her consistency is giving Auburn a solid foundation every week.
Right behind her is junior Julianne Huff, ranked 25th in the all-around with a 39.263. Huff continues to bring energy and execution, especially on floor, where she and teammate Sophia Bell are both tied for 27th nationally with 9.892 averages. That kind of scoring punch will be crucial as Auburn heads into the heart of SEC competition.
Next up: a key SEC test in Athens
The Tigers now turn their attention to a big-time road test this Sunday, February 1, when they head to Athens to face No. 8 Georgia. It’s a top-15 SEC clash with plenty on the line-not just in the standings, but in momentum and confidence.
The meet gets underway at 5:00 p.m. CT and will be televised on SEC Network. Expect a high-energy showdown between two programs that know each other well and aren’t afraid to bring the fireworks.
For Auburn, it’s another chance to prove they belong among the nation’s elite-and with the way they’re trending, they just might be ready to make that leap.