March 23, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Six student-athletes on the No. 21 Auburn gymnastics team earned All-SEC recognition, the league announced Thursday. That set a new program-best total for the Tigers and was the most by any SEC school this year.
"Having so many All-SEC gymnasts this year is very rewarding," head coach Jeff Graba said. "This team has been working extremely hard all year so it is a real honor to have seen this group earn these awards. I am very proud of them and with most coming from young people, it is evident that the future for Auburn gymnastics is very bright."
To earn All-SEC recognition, gymnasts must finish in the top two spots (including ties) per event in each SEC championship session.
A trio of Tigers garnered All-SEC nods on floor. Senior MJ Rott led all afternoon session competitors in the event with a 9.875, while classmate Kullen Hlawek and redshirt freshman Emma Slappey came in second with a pair of 9.85s. The conference recognition is the second of Rott's career, while Hlawek and Slappey pick up the first of theirs.
Three more first-time, All-SEC honors came on bars as sophomores Emma Engler and Samantha Cerio finished first in the afternoon with a pair of 9.9s. That total tied a career best for each. Freshman Gracie Day was close behind at 9.875 to pick up All-SEC recognition.
In addition, Slappey and Day were placed on the SEC All-Freshman team for their performances on floor and bars, respectively.
The Tigers return to action next week, traveling to Arkansas for the NCAA Fayetteville Regional, April 1. Auburn will compete for one of the two spots that will advance to the NCAA Championships held in St. Louis, April 14-15.
Tickets for the Fayetteville Regional can be purchased here.
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