Kentucky swept every apparatus in upsetting No.12 Auburn with their highest scoring performance of the season, 197.325 – 196.275.
The Wildcats notched their previous best a week prior in a 196.475-197.550 loss to Oklahoma in Lexington, KY. Collectively, they improved their scoring on all four apparatuses. Junior Delaynee Rodriguez elevated her performance, scoring 9.900 or better on three apparatus, including a near-perfect 9.950 on the uneven bars.
Kentucky received a big lift from freshman Sabrina Nemcek in her only appearance of the night. Nemcek earned a 9.90 on the uneven bars, giving the Wildcats a decided edge, 49.375-48.650.
While the Wildcats were thriving on the bars, Auburn struggled. Julianne Huff was the sole Tigers gymnast to earn a 9.900 or better on an apparatus, scoring a 9.925. Auburn received only four scores of 9.900 or better all night. Marissa Neal earned two of them, a 9.900 on beam and a 9.925 on floor. Sophie Bell received Auburn’s fourth with a 9.900 on the floor.
Bell competed in only one event after landing awkwardly on a practice vault two minutes before the start of the meet. Head coach Jeff Graba acknowledged that the way Bell landed prompted him to switch up the lineup.
The only consistent thing Auburn’s coaching staff has been able to count on is a last-minute change to the lineup. “I don’t know what the lineup is going to be when I walk out there,” said Graba.
Graba was not surprised Bell returned to compete on the floor, but replaced her on the other apparatus out of caution. The sophomore averages a 9.85 in the first four meets (NC State -9.925, Ark.- 9.900, UF -9.750, UGA -9.825).
Huff is confident that controlling their landings, an element that judges can easily deduct points from, can be cleaned up in practice. Coach Graba saw it as fixable also. “They all stepped forward,” said Graba. “Most of them over-rotated, which means they’ve got great energy. We are not talking about the fact that they are stepping backwards because an under rotation is a problem. They are doing the right mistake but they do have to calm down in pressure situations and be able to manage our stress levels so that we can sink into those landings.”