AUBURN, Ala. - The No. 15 Auburn gymnastics team is gearing up for a major challenge as they head to Norman to take on the top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners.
This Friday night showdown at the Lloyd Noble Center is set for 6:45 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
“Oklahoma’s earned that No. 1 spot for a reason,” Auburn head coach Jeff Graba remarked. “Their home turf advantage and experienced lineup make them formidable.
But we’re finding our rhythm, and this is a prime opportunity for our young squad to step up. We’re heading to Norman to grow and test ourselves.
If we perform well, we can definitely push Oklahoma.”
This marks Auburn’s third consecutive Friday face-off against a Top 3 team, a testament to their challenging schedule.
“In just 15 days, we’ve lined up against Nos. 1, 2, 3, 13, and 21,” Graba noted. “Facing the best is the ultimate way to sharpen our skills. After a big home meet last week, we’re ready to fly out and tackle the nation’s top team, which will only strengthen us.”
AUBURN LINEUP
Auburn will start on bars, followed by vault, floor, and beam.
Juniors Olivia Greaves, Julianne Huff, Alex Irvine, and sophomore Marissa Neal are among the top performers across all four events.
Huff has been a standout in the all-around, hitting a career-high 39.525 last week against Alabama. Greaves and Neal have each competed in the all-around four times, while Irvine is making her second appearance among the top eight in all events.
The Tigers kick off on bars with Irvine, Greaves, and junior Emma Grace Boyd leading the charge. Irvine, the anchor, boasts a 9.870 NQS and recently hit a season-high 9.925. Boyd also shined against Alabama with a career-best 9.875.
Joining them are Huff, Neal, freshman Charlotte Booth, senior Hannah Hagle, and sophomore Katelyn Jong.
In the second rotation on vault, Auburn ranks 12th nationally with a 49.179 NQS. Huff and freshman Mia Leverton lead with a 9.850 NQS, closely followed by Neal at 9.845.
Greaves, Irvine, juniors Paige Zancan, Jersie Woolsey, and freshman Brynn Torry round out the top eight. Zancan hit a 9.975 this year, while Torry anchored last week with a 9.875 career high. Woolsey adds depth, appearing twice in the lineup.
On floor, Auburn holds a 49.233 NQS. Sophomore Bryn Bartman consistently leads off, scoring 9.8 or better in all but one meet.
Huff, Neal, Greaves, Irvine, and Booth join Bartman. Huff recently achieved a career-high 9.925, while she and Neal lead with a 9.875 NQS.
Sophomore Olivia Ahern tied her career high with a 9.875 last week, and junior Emma Wehry looks to start after strong exhibition performances.
Auburn concludes on beam, ranked 12th with a 49.229 NQS. Neal, ranked 11th nationally, anchors with a 9.895 NQS, scoring 9.9 or better five times.
Irvine has excelled with four scores of 9.9 or better, holding a 9.875 NQS. Joining them are Ahern, Booth, Greaves, Hagle, Huff, and Wehry. Ahern and Huff are coming off career highs against Alabama.
UP NEXT
Auburn returns home to face No. 11 Michigan State on March 6 at 7 p.m.
CT in Neville Arena. They’ll then head to Huntsville for the Elevate the Stage meet on March 8, competing against No.
6 Georgia, No. 13 Clemson, and Pitt at the Von Braun Center.