Recording Breaking Season for Auburn Gymnastics

For Auburn gymnastics, this season has been one for the record books. They have flown under the radar and are making history for their program-- all while staying calm, cool and collected. Auburn gymnastics has never had a season quite like this and the only direction they are looking to go is up. Currently ranked 8th in the nation and in the top 10 on every event (except for bars where they are ranked 11th) if the Tigers weren't in your conversations before, they certainly should be now. It goes without saying that this year is Auburn's year.

The success started early. Regardless if it was a win or loss, the Tigers steadily improved their team score every week for the first six meets of the season. At the first home meet of the season, they posted a 197.075 to top SEC rival Arkansas. They kept that momentum going and just missed beating LSU by the narrowest of margins a few weeks later. Their final team score of 197.300 was a half tenth away from taking down the LSU Tigers and out of all the teams in the SEC conference, Auburn came the closest to doing so.

Photo Credit: Wade Rackley

Prior to this season, Auburn gymnastics had only broke 197 four times in program history. This season alone they have posted scores in the 197's five times and still have the post-season to increase that number. (Fun fact: Auburn is hosting one of the regional championships this year and if they place in the top two, they will qualify a team to the NCAA Championships for the first time in 12 years!) The Tigers biggest victory so far this season came when they broke the school record with a score of 197.750 at home versus Georgia. Not to mention, they did it in front of a sold out crowd of 7,424 fans. Senior, Megan Walker wanted to make history and really pushed for fans to come out and support her team. "It was something I have dreamed about since I came to school, so it was a very special feeling to have it come true." she said. Before that night, the gymnastics team had never sold out the Auburn Arena and they wanted to change that. Megan says she and the team were very excited when they found out their mission was accomplished. "Not many schools can say that their gymnastics program is capable of selling out an entire arena!" Walker mused. "It goes to show how much our sport is growing and how exciting it can be for fans to see us flip around!" Head Coach Jeff Graba added that it was one of the personal highlights for him this season and says it's a "huge milestone" for the program.

Photo Credit: Anthony Hall

Being in the SEC conference gives Auburn the chance to go head to head with some of the top teams in the nation. While it's not an easy conference to be in, Coach Graba says his team uses it as motivation. "Our philosophy is that in order for us to be the best, we need to compete against the best in the country." Graba said. "Because of our schedule-- the toughest in the country this year, by the time we get to the post-season our team will be hardened and ready for whatever is thrown at us." Defeating Georgia with a program high in front of their first ever sold out crowd, coming the closest to beating LSU out of all the schools in the SEC, and posting a record away score (197.025) versus their in-state rival Alabama is no small task and Auburn has risen to the occasion. (It's worth noting that Auburn and Bama met twice this season, the first time being at Bama and the second on a podium at a neutral site, creating a Championship-like atmosphere.) This season Auburn has managed to break almost every record that there is to break (several records they have even broke twice) and they proved that they can hang with the best. Even when they lose, they manage to keep it close- which sends a strong message that they are right up there and can contend against the top teams.

Junior Caitlin Atkinson has been a large part of Auburn's success. Competing in the all-around in almost every meet since her freshman year, Caitlin has set career highs of 9.950 on vault and beam, and 9.975 on bars and floor. She has broke the programs all-around record twice this season with a high of 39.750 and currently sits 5th in the national rankings. (She's been ranked as high as 4th this season.) Her strong, steady, and consistent performances make her one of the leaders of the team.

Photo Credit: Anthony Hall

Auburn's consistent and top notch performances all season long have landed them as high as 7th in the nation with the highest RQS score in program history, Their 197.020 RQS is good enough to secure their place in the evening session of the SEC Championships alongside Florida, LSU, and Alabama. And if you didn't see it coming, yes- this is another "first" in program history. When asked if he was surprised by his teams success this year, Coach Graba says he is not--but he certainly is happy. "I knew all along that we were capable of this type of season, but being capable is just part of the puzzle. I am happy that the team has bought into our philosophy and have embraced the challenges in a positive way." Graba also noted that his team has not done anything differently from years in the past. "I think this year is a culmination of all our preparation from the previous years."

For the rest of the season, the goal remains quite simple. "We need to continue to get better. I think this team is improving each week and my goal for them is to take it one day at a time." Graba said. "I think it's hard for others to understand that this team is in a position that is unheard of for a gymnastics team at Auburn. They are breaking a lot of records here and I believe it is important for them to ignore some of the buzz as much as possible or we risk losing our momentum. My goal is to make each day better than the last. Keep the goals attainable and close at hand so to speak."

Photo Credit: Anthony Hall

As we head into the post-season, all eyes will be on Auburn. They've already broken numerous records and are hungry to break more in the post-season. But most importantly, it's all about having fun while doing what they love. "Auburn gymnastics is about having fun, working hard, and letting the results of this show up on the competition floor." said Graba.

And that is exactly what the Tigers do.