AUBURN, Ala. – Another top 10 matchup faces the No. 6 Auburn gymnastics team as the Tigers travel to No. 8 LSU Saturday, Feb. 5. The two teams will go head-to-head at 3 p.m. CT on ESPNU inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
"It's a tough place to compete," head coach Jeff Graba said. "We have to be prepared to face a loud crowd and be mentally tough. LSU is obviously a very talented team that thrives at home so we just need to focus on ourselves and on what we can control."
"We're really focusing on leveling up this week and taking it up a notch," junior Piper Smith said. "We like the environment at LSU and are looking forward to competing this Saturday in front of another big crowd."
The contest will be the second-straight top 10 meet for the Tigers. Auburn topped No. 9 Alabama last week Friday at home with a season high 197.525.
"The SEC is tough and there is no question about it," Graba added. "But being in these environments and matchups prepares us for postseason."
AUBURN LINEUP
Depth and experience with a mix of new talent is what the Tigers will bring to the table in 2022.
Auburn will kick things off on bars as the visiting team. The squad's top 8 is highlighted by a wealth of experience as seniors Drew Watson and Derrian Gobourne as well as juniors Cassie Stevens, Piper Smith, Aria Brusch and Adeline Sabados all have potential to compete.
Freshmen Sunisa Lee and Sophia Groth are also among the top 8 for the first rotaiton. Lee and Gobourne have shared the bars title in the last two meets.
The Tigers will head to vault for the second rotation with Gobourne and Watson once again leading the charge. Watson has a 9.95 undre her belt already this year. Junior Piper Smith has also worked her way on the list.
Youth will be the name of the game for the rest of the spots as sophomores Gabby McLaughlin and Tara Walsh with freshmen Sara Hubbard, Lee and Groth round out the rest of the eight.
Auburn will move on to floor for rotation three and will feature a well-rounded group of athletes. Gobourne, Watson and Lee highlight the group with veterans Stevens and Brusch provided depth. Freshmen Groth, Hubbard and Ananda Brown all have potential to compete.
The final rotation of the day will be beam for the Tigers. The top 8 remains mostly the same with McLaughlin and Lee leading the charge.
Brusch, Stevens, Groth and Smith along with sophomore Olivia Hollingsworth add big experience and Hubbard joins them on the list.
UP NEXT
The Tigers return to Auburn Arena for a Friday night matchup with another top 15 opponent in Missouri. The two teams will face off at 8 p.m. CT on SEC Network, Feb. 11.
No. 6 Auburn with tough road test at No. 8 LSU Saturday
