(Photo by John Kelley)
[break] [break] Mary Beth Box took top honors on beam with a 9.925, and Kiera Brown added a pair of 9.9s for Georgia (3-6, 2-4 SEC). The Tigers’ 197.750 is their highest score in program history.
[break] [break] “We did finish strong and I’m proud of the team for the way they fought,” head coach Danna Durante said. “It was a very frustrating night, I’ll leave it at that. We did well and we finished strong. Score doesn’t reflect that. Our RQS went up. We had Mary Beth Box again very strong on beam, Kiera very strong on beam. And then floor was better. It was definitely better.”
[break] [break] Auburn (5-3, 3-3 SEC) grabbed the early lead with a 49.375 on vault, while Georgia posted a 49.325 on bars. Kiera Brown and Brittany Rogers led the team with a pair of 9.9s. The 49.325 for the Gymdogs is their second-highest beam score this season.
[break] [break] The Tigers extended their lead to 98.825-98.425 with a 49.45 on bars in the second rotation, while Georgia scored a 49.1 on vault. Brandie Jay led the way with a 9.875 in the anchor position for the Gymdogs.
[break] [break] In the third rotation, Georgia scored a 49.0 on floor behind a 9.825 by freshman Vivi Babalis. Auburn turned in a 49.375 on floor and led 148.200-147.425 after three rotations.
[break] [break] The Gymdogs opened the final rotation with a pair of back-to-back career-highs of 9.875 and 9.9 on beam by Natalie Vaculik and Kiera Brown and went on to close the meet with a season-high 49.375. Box turned in a 9.925 in the anchor position. Auburn registered a 49.550 on floor.
[break] [break] Georgia will be home for its final two meets of the regular season Saturday, March 7 against Arkansas. It will serve as Georgia’s annual Alumni Meet, and the 2005 national championship team will be also be recognized.
[break] [break] #7 Auburn – 197.750 (VT – 49.375, UB – 49.1, BB – 49.375, FX – 49.550)
#9 Georgia – 196.775 (VT – 49.45, UB – 49.325, BB – 49.35, FX – 49.0)
Vault
Natalie Vaculik – 9.825, Beth Roberts – 9.675, Chelsea Davis – 9.8, Ashlyn Broussard – 9.85, Brittany Rogers – 9.75, Brandie Jay – 9.875
Bars
Brandie Jay – 9.825, Natalie Vaculik – 9.825, Sarah Persinger – 9.825, Kiera Brown – 9.9, Chelsea Davis – 9.875, Brittany Rogers – 9.9
Beam
Natalie Vaculik – 9.875, Kiera Brown – 9.9, Vivi Babalis – 9.775, Brittany Rogers – 9.75, Ashlyn Broussard – 9.875, Mary Beth Box – 9.925
Floor
Sarah Persinger – 9.775, Morgan Reynolds – 9.8, Gigi Marino – 9.8, Vivi Babalis – 9.825, Mary Beth Box – 9.675, Brandie Jay – 9.8