2023 AU Gymnastics Roster:
https://auburntigers.com/sports/womens-gymnastics/roster
2023 Schedule:
tba
2023 COLLEGE GYM NEWS TEAM PREVIEW
https://collegegymnews.com/2022/09/21/potential-lineups-sec-part-i-5/
No. 4 Auburn
After a disheartening conclusion to the 2021 season, Auburn rebounded by having its best year in program history. With a trio of talented freshmen joining the ranks and longtime Brown head coach Sara Carver-Milne taking over the associate head coach role vacated by Ashley Priess Johnston after her move to Tuscaloosa, this Auburn team is out to prove that last year was no fluke.
Losses:
Jada Glenn, Allie Riddle, Payton Smith, Tara Walsh (Michigan State), Drew Watson
Gains:
Olivia Greaves, Hannah Hagle, Hailey John
Vault
Potential Contributors: Sunisa Lee (9.890 NQS), Derrian Gobourne (9.890), Cassie Stevens (9.885), Sara Hubbard (9.865), Sophia Groth (9.855), Gabby McLaughlin (9.758 AVG), Aria Brusch, Olivia Hollingsworth, Caroline Leonard, Adeline Sabados, Piper Smith, Olivia Greaves, Hannah Hagle
How It Looked Before: Though certainly not the Tigers’ flashiest event, the fifth-ranked vault lineup reliably got the job done.
How It Looks Now: The good news is that the core of last season’s vaulters is back. The downside is that there’s no clear replacement for Drew Watson’s Yurchenko one and a half. Greaves competed a serviceable Yurchenko double full in elite but will likely need to downgrade to a full in college. Fellow freshman Hagle competed a Yurchenko full-on tuck as a junior elite but has favored the Yurchenko full as a level 10. Leonard trained a likely looking Yurchenko one and a half last season that never materialized in competition for reasons unknown. Groth competed an excellent Yurchenko full last season but is hoping to upgrade to an Omelianchik in 2023. There’s also the question of whether Lee will stick with her Lopez or opt for something less risky.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Too soon to tell. Until we have a clearer idea of who’s competing what vault, it’s hard to gauge this lineup’s scoring potential. Worst case scenario, head coach Jeff Graba will have his pick of 9.800 vaults to fill Watson’s vacancy.
Bars
Potential Contributors: Sunisa Lee (9.970 NQS), Derrian Gobourne (9.920), Aria Brusch (9.905), Cassie Stevens (9.870), Sophia Groth (9.835), Adeline Sabados (9.835), Piper Smith (9.330), Olivia Hollingsworth, Caroline Leonard, Anna Sumner, Olivia Greaves, Hailey John, Hannah Hagle
How It Looked Before: Auburn bars had a major glow-up in 2022, jumping from 14th to fifth in the rankings. Having Suni Lee anchoring certainly helped, but the entire lineup looked better than it has in years.
How It Looks Now: Greaves is best-known for her stellar barswork and should have no problem cracking this lineup. Lee and Gobourne are veritable locks, and it’s hard to imagine Brusch and Stevens won’t be back given their proven consistency. Though Sabados has a lower scoring ceiling, she’s been extremely reliable as the team’s lead-off, which may give her the edge over Groth and the other returners.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up. Increased depth and the addition of Greaves should be more than enough to build on last season’s success.
Beam
Potential Contributors: Sunisa Lee (9.980 NQS), Sophia Groth (9.950), Gabby McLaughlin (9.915), Cassie Stevens (9.875), Olivia Hollingsworth (9.835), Aria Brusch (9.793 AVG), Piper Smith (9.650), Morgan Leigh Oldham (9.175), Olivia Greaves, Hannah Hagle, Hailey John
How It Looked Before: Auburn beam was nothing short of outstanding, with seven gymnasts scoring 9.900 or higher. Freshman Lee led the way, earning three perfect 10s and a national title.
How It Looks Now: This is going to be the hardest lineup for the newcomers to break into: Seven Tigers scored 9.900 or better on beam last season. All three freshmen have similar high scoring potential but historically spotty hit rates in their respective club careers. They’ll have to prove a consistent ability to hit under pressure if they hope to challenge any of the returners for a regular spot in the lineup.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Trending up. The Tigers are losing nothing and have gained experience, confidence and depth since offseason.
Floor
Potential Contributors: Derrian Gobourne (9.960 NQS), Sunisa Lee (9.950), Sophia Groth (9.900), Cassie Stevens (9.880), Sara Hubbard (9.720), Adeline Sabados (9.825 AVG), Aria Brusch (9.811), Morgan Leigh Oldham (9.638), Ananda Brown (9.000), Olivia Hollingsworth, Olivia Greaves, Hannah Hagle, Hailey John
How It Looked Before: From the LSU Musicgate controversy to its mind-boggling 49.800 season high, Auburn’s floor rotation was never without excitement! Gobourne led the Tigers’ lineup, scoring 9.900 or higher 13 times and finally getting her perfect 10.
How It Looks Now: Greaves was a bit of a question mark after only competing bars at the 2022 elite championships but looked strong while showing off her full-twisting double tuck in recent training clips. Also, keep an eye out for junior Hollingsworth. She regularly competed floor as a freshman, showcasing a crisp tucked full-out and dynamic leaps.
Trending up, down or too early to tell? Holding steady. Last season’s top four scorers are all returning, and Greaves is a natural successor to Drew Watson.
Three Big Questions
What does new associate head coach Sarah Carver-Milne bring to the table?
In her 21st season at the helm, Carver-Milne led Brown to a record-breaking season of its own in 2022. She’s a two-time ECAC head coach of the year and has guided her teams and individual gymnasts — including Olympic silver medalist and ESPN commentator Alicia Sacramone — to numerous accolades.
How critical is Sunisa Lee to the Tigers’ success?
Lee contributed an impressive 583.95 points to Auburn’s totals in her freshman season, including 29 scores of 9.900 or better. Less tangibly, she brought a new level of visibility and fan enthusiasm to the Plains that the team seems to really thrive on.
Can Auburn repeat the success?
The Tigers smashed just about every possible program record last season, so it’s odds on that their upward trajectory will taper off a bit in 2022. However, with the bulk of last season’s team returning plus a strong freshman class ready to contribute, there’s no reason to think they can’t maintain that level of competitiveness.
