The No. 6 Auburn Tigers traveled down to Baton Rouge, LA this weekend to compete against the No. 8 LSU Tigers at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Auburn came into this meet after a convincing victory over Alabama at Auburn Arena last Friday night. The Tigers took down the Crimson Tide 197.525-197.125. LSU also came into this meet after a win. They defeated the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, GA last Friday Night by a score of 196.850-196.100.
In the first rotation, LSU was on the vault and Auburn was on the bars. Elena Arenas led LSU off 9.985. Kai Rivers followed her up with a 9.750. KJ Johnson followed her up with a 9.900. Sarah Edwards followed her up with a 9.675. Kiya Johnson recorded a 9.750. Haleigh Bryant closed out LSU on the vault with a perfect 10. On the bars for Auburn, Drew Watson recorded a 9.750. Adeline Sabados recorded a 9.775. Aria Brusch recorded a 9.850. Cassie Stevens recorded a 9.850. Derrian Gobourne recorded a 9.875. Suni Lee closed out Auburn’s bars portion for today with her first collegiate perfect 10. At the end of the first rotation, LSU led 49.375-49.350.
In the second rotation, Auburn was on vault and LSU was on bars. Tara Walsh opened this rotation up for Auburn with a 9.825. Sophia Groth picked up a 9.900. Suni Lee picked up a 9.900. Sara Hubbard picked up a 9.825. Drew Watson picked up a 9.900. Derrian Gobourne closed out the vault portion of the meet for Auburn by picking up a 9.950. Kai Rivers got LSU started on bars with a 9.750. Olivia Dunne picked up 9.825. Kiya Johnson picked up a 9.800. Haleigh Bryant picked up a 9.850. Alyona Shchennikova picked up a 9.925. Sami Durante closed out LSU on the bars with by picking up a 9.975. After the second rotation, Auburn led LSU 98.825-98.750.
In the third rotation, LSU was on the balance beam and Auburn was doing floor exercise. Christina Desiderio opened things up in this rotation for LSU by earning a 9.925. Sami Durante earned a 9.850. Haleigh Bryant earned a 9.875. Aleah Finnegan earned a 9.900. Bridget Dean earned a 9.275. Kiya Johnson earned a 9.900. Auburn had a strong showing on the floor today. Drew Watson earned a 9.725. Cassie Stevens earned a 9.875. Aria Brusch earned a 9.700. Derrian Gobourne earned a 9.925. Suni Lee earned a 9.950. Sophia Groth earned a 9.900. After the third rotation, the teams were tied at 148.200.
In the fourth and final rotation. Auburn was on the balance beam and LSU had their floor exercise portion. Olivia Hollingsworth got things going for Auburn in the final rotation with a 9.875. Aria Brusch got a 9.875. Cassie Stevens got a 9.875. Sophia Groth got a 9.950. Gabby McLaughlin got a 9.725. Suni Lee closed out Auburn’s Day by getting a 9.975. KJ Johnson opened things up for LSU on the floor by getting a 9.950. Haleigh Bryant got a 9.950. Alyona Shchennikova got a 9.925. Christina Desidero got a 9.950. Aleah Finnegan got a 9.800. Kiya Johnson closed out things on the floor for LSU by getting a perfect 10 on the floor.
Auburn was not able to get it done today, as LSU won the meet by a score of 197.975-197.750. Suni Lee was able to pick up the all-around victory.
Sophia Groth was asked about the environment and how she overcame it. She said the used the energy for herself. She was asked about the team’s performance, and she said she thought it was excellent. I personally asked Suni Lee what it meant to pick up her first perfect 10 in college. She said it was awesome and she was proud of herself. Suni was asked about the loud ovation for received and if she was expecting it. She said it was awesome to receive that sportsmanship on the road. Jeff Graba said how proud he was of the group’s performance in the tough road environment and how they set a few program records. He was asked about the boost Suni’s perfect 10 gave the team and he responded it was a real spark and the team needed it. He was also asked about Suni’s perfect 10 and if he thought immediately, it would earn one. He answered that the judges have their own perspective, but he thought it was worthy of a 10.
Auburn will be back in action next Friday Night, as the Missouri Tigers travel down to Auburn Arena for an 8:00 pm meet
