Auburn at Georgia

Recap

The Big Storyline: Auburn defeated Georgia for just the second time in program history, thanks in no small part to a dazzling performances by freshmen Suni Lee and Sophia Groth, who capped off her all-around debut with a 9.950 on beam en route to a 39.425.

Implications: Auburn continues to prove that it’s one of the top teams in the SEC this year, edging out LSU and Alabama for second place behind Florida and fifth nationally. While Georgia is showing steady improvement from its early season struggles, it remains the only SEC team yet to break 197. 

Records: Georgia earned an impressive season high 49.350 on beam, bettering its previous season high by nearly three tenths and a full two and a half points higher than its season low. Lee not only swept the individual titles (the first Tiger since 2016 to accomplish that feat), but also became the first NCAA gymnast to compete a Yurchenko half-on layout vault.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 7 Auburn at No. 27 Georgia

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: After a disappointing start, the Gymdogs have been on an upswing, scoring 196-plus in their last three meets. Auburn, meanwhile, will be looking to extend its hot streak by posting a sixth-consecutive score over 197 (something no other SEC team can boast, even Florida). This is Auburn’s meet to lose, but bear in mind that Georgia has a pesky habit of exceeding expectations at home. 

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: Georgia’s vault lineup has been a bright spot for the struggling program, going 49 or higher in every meet this season, and senior Rachel Baumann’s upgraded Yurchenko 1.5 has been the standout. Auburn’s beam rotation has been climbing steadily all season, culminating in a program record 49.625 last week. it has four gymnasts who’ve posted 9.950 or higher so far, including the stellar Gabby McLaughlin. She and Olympic champion Suni Lee are one of the most formidable one-two punches currently anchoring a lineup.