Auburn Gymnastics Review: Kentucky and Alabama Review, Florida Preview

The Auburn Gymnastics team has recently been through a whirlwind of meets. They started their season by traveling to Oregon St. That meet took place on Sunday, January 10. Just five days later, the young team competed again, this time hosting the Kentucky Wildcats. Auburn won the meet (which has been the theme of athletic events against Kentucky in Auburn Arena this year) and scored a respectable 196.275. Two days later, the Tigers faced Alabama at the Elevate the Stage meet in Birmingham. Auburn posted a 196.075, a season-low for the team. Fatigue was evident from both teams, since both had done a Sunday-Friday-Sunday series of competitions. Alabama was victorious (for what felt like the thousandth time).

Freshman A’mirical Phillips “dabs” during her floor routine (Photo credit: Zach Bland/Auburn Athletics)

After three meets in eight days, I can vouch that the amount of exhaustion the girls were feeling was extensive. In the training facility, landings for each event are done on “soft landings” meaning that there is a huge, squishy mat that the gymnasts land on to protect their bodies. In competition, there’s no such luxury. Underneath the equipment is a hard, unforgiving floor. Your body is fine in the moment (thanks, adrenaline) but feels horrible the following day. Did I mention that Auburn almost always has an 8 AM workout the following morning? Try getting your body ready for that workout! It’s not fun, but it does serve a purpose. Here are some positive take-aways from the three-meet stretch:

1. When (fingers-crossed) your Auburn Tigers qualify to NCAA’s, they will have to be prepared to compete two nights in a row. The National Championship is also held on a podium setting. Think of podium as a private stage for each event, set about four feet high. The podium makes the equipment more bouncy and messes with the timing of each and every skill on every single event. The Elevate the Stage meet not only gave the girls practice at having a quick turn-around, but also gave Auburn an advantage headed into the post-season. Elevate is the only dual-meet held on podium each year, giving Auburn a leg-up headed into the Conference Championship and NCAA’s.

2. With three meets squished together like that, Auburn was given the opportunity to try some new line-ups and squeeze some experience into a short time frame. Most other teams in the country have only had two meets, which means these girls have had one more meet to work out the kinks, per se.

3. The team is looking good, but the freshman look GREAT. The difference between club and college gymnastics should not be understated. In club, the only people who show up to your meets are your parents, grandparents, and maybe a few friends (if you’re lucky and are competing close to home). Basically, these freshman went from competing in front of a very tiny audience to the wonders of SEC gymnastics. Auburn Arena had over 5500 fans against Kentucky, while Elevate had over 7000. Trying to control the adrenaline rush, excitement, and nervous energy is no small feat, yet these newcomers are handling it very well. Be on the lookout for Taylor Krippner, Emma Engler, and A’mirical Phillips, who will all be competing this weekend.

Freshman Taylor Krippner (Photo credit: Anthony Hall/Auburn Athletics)

Though it is clear that the team is not in top form quite yet, they are definitely on their way. With three meets under their belts, the team hasn’t posted a score below a 196, something that hasn’t been accomplished in recent years. Hopefully, this coming weekend we will see Auburn score a 197 or higher.

Next up, the Auburn Tigers will host the #1 ranked Florida Gators on Friday, January 21 at 7:30 PM. Not only is this an intense SEC match-up, with Auburn being ranked 8th right now, but it also has an emotional component as well. Florida’s Head Coach Jenny Rowland, previously the assistant coach for Auburn, will be back in Auburn Arena for the first time since helping Auburn qualify to NCAAs last April. The upperclassman will have to set aside any sentimental attachment and focus on the meet ahead if they plan to pull an upset over the number one team in the nation. Oh, and did I mention that Florida is the three-time defending National Champions? It should be an intense competition.

Junior MJ Rott (Photo Credit: Anthony Hall/Auburn Athletics)

The most important aspect of the meet against the University of Florida is that it’s the annual “Flip for the Cure” competition. Both teams will be trading in their orange and blue leotards for stylish pink “leos” that represent the reason for the meet. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to help raise awareness and support for the fight against breast cancer. As a former student-athlete, there is nothing more enjoyable and honorable than competing for something bigger than yourself. Athletic events that are rooted in a cause bring communities together and unite opposing teams, regardless of the rivalry. For that reason alone, I cannot wait to see a packed Auburn Arena. See you there, and War Eagle.