The last few seasons for the Tigers have seen several legacy gymnasts complete their careers. But now they’re set to reap the rewards of the successes they brought, as Auburn’s highly touted rookie class is set to make a significant impact. While there are key routines to replace from a season ago, the total number of holes is only in the single digits, with plenty of five-star and elite-level talent incoming to fill in.
2024 Rewind
No. 20 overall | No. 7 at SECs | No. 14 in regular season | Regional semi-finals
Back-to-back unfortunate postseasons have seen the Tigers finish ranked in the 20s after top-15 regular seasons—meaning the pressure will be higher than ever to hit when it matters most. The talent is prevalent enough throughout the roster to be a nationals darkhorse squad yet again, along with enough experienced routines to avoid a third-straight postseason letdown.
Losses & Gains
| Returning | In |
| Fifth-Years Olivia Hollingsworth Gabby McLaughlin Sydney Schumaker Seniors Sophia Groth Anna Hill Sara Hubbard Caroline Leonard Juniors Hannah Hagle Sophomores Bryn Bartman Emma Grace Boyd Olivia Greaves Sophia Greaves Julianne Huff Jersie Woolsey Paige Zancan | Freshmen Olivia Ahern Sophia Bell Katelyn Jong Marissa Neal Transfers Alex Irvine (UCLA) Sarah Zois (George Washington) |
| Out | |
| Graduated Ananda Brown Aria Brusch (UB, BB, FX) Cassie Stevens (AA) Retired Madelynn Crow Lila Smith Hailey John | |
| Injury Update | |
| A regular lineup option on floor, Hannah Hagle, who has also seen time on bars and beam for Auburn, was spotted in a boot over the summer. Her injury status is currently unknown. | |
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2024 Event Ranking: No. 17 | NQS: 49.240 | Average: 49.183
| Event Overview: Difficulty wasn’t the issue for Auburn on vault, as it kept pace with other nationals contenders in terms of start values; it just couldn’t find consistency with execution. The Tigers should have just as many—if not more—10.0 start values options for 2025, so it will come down to how well they can land them. That’s something Sophia Bell did particularly well with her Yurchenko one and a half during her level 10 career. | ||
| Locks: Olivia Hollingsworth, Sara Hubbard, Julianne Huff, Sydney Schumaker | ||
| Contenders: Olivia Ahern, Sophia Bell, Sophia Groth, Alex Irvine, Marissa Neal, Paige Zancan, Sarah Zois | ||
| Wildcards: Olivia Greaves, Anna Hill, Katelyn Jong |
Bars
2024 Event Ranking: No. 18 | NQS: 49.315| Average: 49.219
| Event Overview: Bars wasn’t a strength for the Tigers in 2024 due to a lack of depth, and it projects to be a similar situation in 2025. Former elites Katelyn Jong and Marissa Neal can easily slide into the two vacated lineup holes, as each has a deep bag of skills to choose from, but options beyond the top six look limited. | ||
| Locks: Olivia Greaves, Sophia Groth, Olivia Hollingsworth, Gabby McLaughlin | ||
| Contenders: Alex Irvine, Katelyn Jong, Marissa Neal | ||
| Wildcards: Olivia Ahern, Bryn Bartman, Sophia Bell, Emma Grace Boyd, Hannah Hagle, Julianne Huff |
Beam
2024 Event Ranking: No. 11 | NQS: 49.420 | Average: 49.304
| Event Overview: With much of the lineup returning, expect beam to be Auburn’s best event in 2025 as it was a season ago, with Gabby McLaughlin once again shining on anchor duty. George Washington transfer Sarah Zois brings in a reliable routine that can contribute immediately while former five-star recruit Olivia Ahern should get plenty of reps in an audition to take over McLaughlin’s role in the future. | ||
| Locks: Sophia Groth, Olivia Hollingsworth, Gabby McLaughlin, Paige Zancan | ||
| Contenders: Olivia Ahern, Katelyn Jong, Marissa Neal, Sarah Zois | ||
| Wildcards: Hannah Hagle, Sarah Hubbard, Julianne Huff |
Floor
2024 Event Ranking: No. 16 | NQS: 49.470| Average: 49.402
| Event Overview: Easily Auburn’s second-best event a year ago, this is where it’ll have the most options this season due to the impact of its No. 11-ranked freshman class. Hollingsworth and McLaughlin keep their lineup spots as the only gymnasts with a 9.9-plus NQS, with rookies Ahern, Bell, Jong, and Neal all legitimately vying for lineup time to make this the Tigers’ deepest piece. | ||
| Locks: Olivia Hollingsworth, Gabby McLaughlin | ||
| Contenders: Olivia Ahern, Sophia Bell, Sophia Groth, Julianne Huff, Katelyn Jong, Marissa Neal | ||
| Wildcards: Hannah Hagle, Alex Irvine, Sarah Zois |
Records Watch
Team: 198.575 | AA: 39.825 | VT: 49.500/9.975 | UB: 49.675/10.000 | BB: 49.725/10.000 | FX: 49.800/10.000
With an option to go six-deep with 10.0 start values on vault with everyone at their best, there’s a chance this squad could top the team vault mark last season’s squad tied if the Tigers catch a case of sticky feet.
The Big Picture
After a few years of letdown following a top-four finish, the Tigers’ promising freshman class has the program primed for positive positioning. The road only gets more challenging as the SEC strengthens this season, but Auburn has enough seniority to expect a swing in momentum.
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Article by Brandis Heffner
