Auburn Begins NCAA Regional Play Friday in Seattle

Auburn Tigers Set to Ignite NCAA Regional Action in Seattle

AUBURN, Ala. – The excitement is palpable as the No. 15 Auburn gymnastics team gears up for the highly anticipated 2025 NCAA Washington Regional starting this Friday, April 4, in Seattle, Washington. Hosted at the Alaska Airlines Arena by the University of Washington, this three-day event marks the beginning of the NCAA postseason, where the stakes are higher than ever.

A Fresh Start for a Young Team

As the Tigers prepare to step onto the national stage, head coach Jeff Graba sums up the outlook perfectly: “Anything can happen.” With a roster brimming with youthful talent, many gymnasts will be experiencing this level of competition for the first time, adding an intriguing twist to the team’s strategy. Graba emphasizes the importance of keeping focus: “We just need to keep our head on straight and do our thing.”

The Road to Regional Glory

Auburn kicks off the NCAA Regional Second Round on Friday at 9 p.m. CT, where they will face fierce competition from the No. 1 seeded Oklahoma, alongside Nebraska and Illinois. Fans won’t want to miss the afternoon session featuring No. 2 seed Missouri, No. 3 seed Georgia, Arizona, and Arizona State.

Key Facts:

• The top two teams from each session will advance to the regional final on Sunday, April 6.
• The excitement escalates, as the leading teams and the best all-around competitor (not on an advancing team) will secure their spots at the 2025 NCAA Championship in Fort Worth, Texas, from April 17-19.

Auburn’s Lineup: Stars of the Beam

The Tigers enter as the second seed in their session, beginning competition on balance beam—an event where they’ve consistently excelled, ranking tied for ninth nationally with a 49.385 NQS.

Star Performers:

• Senior Sophia Groth, fifth-year Gabby McLaughlin, and freshman Marissa Neal are key figures, showcasing immense talent and experience.
• McLaughlin leads with 62 starts on beam, while Groth has added 51 starts to her resume.
• McLaughlin and Neal both hold a team-best score of 9.975, while Groth isn’t far behind with a notable 9.95.

Contributing to the team’s success are freshman Olivia Ahern and sophomore Paige Zancan, who consistently deliver impressive performances.

Spotlight on the Floor

Following beam, the Tigers will celebrate their strengths on floor exercise, where they recently tied for 11th nationally with a 49.430 NQS. In the final regular season meet against LSU, the team set a season-best of 49.575.

Floor Highlights:

• Groth and McLaughlin, both accomplished seniors, provide leadership and flair, with Groth achieving two 9.95s this season against rivals Georgia and Alabama.
• Zancan and freshman Sophia Bell have also made significant contributions with scores reaching as high as 9.925.

Vaulting Towards Victory

As the competition progresses, Auburn will transition to vault, where they currently stand at 10th nationally with a 49.290 NQS.

Vault Achievements:

• Sophomores Julianne Huff and Zancan lead the charge, displaying remarkable consistency throughout the season.
• Zancan impressed judges and spectators alike during the LSU meet, scoring an impressive 9.975.

Final Rotation: Bars

The day concludes on the uneven bars, an area where Auburn wishes to leave a lasting impression. Olivia Greaves and Alex Irvine will be the anchors, with Greaves boasting a career-high of 9.975 from a recent meet.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

As the Tigers prepare for this thrilling regional showdown, the blend of youth, talent, and determination fuels their mission for glory. This weekend could become a defining chapter in Auburn gymnastics history, with all eyes on Seattle.

Make sure to tune in and support the Tigers as they take on the challenge of the NCAA Regional and aim for a triumphant journey toward the NCAA Championship!

For more information, visit Auburn Gymnastics.