Auburn Gymnastics Places Fourth at NCAA West Regional - AuburnTigers.com

Auburn Gymnastics Places Fourth at NCAA West Regional Tigers close out 2009 campaign.

April 4, 2009

SEATTLE, Wash. - The 2009 season came to a close for the 11th-ranked Auburn gymnastics team Saturday night, as the Tigers placed fourth at the NCAA West Regional with a 195.250 in the Bank of America Arena. The Tigers were unable to qualify as a team or send any individuals to the NCAA Championships.

"It's a shame that our seniors' careers ended this way," head gymnastics coach Jeff Thompson said. "We've been counting on our seniors all season and tonight wasn't their night; it wasn't our night. You can't make it to nationals with the way tonight went for us. It's disappointing."

Auburn opened the meet on bars and combined for a 49.025. Freshman Allyson Sandusky led the way, earning a 9.875 and finishing in a tie for fourth place. A.J. Mills was the sixth competitor and posted a 9.85 to tie for sixth place. Junior Carmen Nelms was awarded a 9.825.

Freshman Kylie Shields' 9.85 was the high score, as Auburn went 48.825 on beam in the second rotation. Her score earned her a tie for seventh place and matched a career high for the rookie. It was the fifth time this season she earned a 9.85. Mills was the only other Tiger beam worker to earn a 9.8.

After a third-round bye, the Tigers took to the floor in the fourth rotation and had two uncharacteristic falls and had one gymnast step out of bounds. Sophomore Rachel Inniss earned a 9.85 as the fourth tumbler. Lindsey Puckett registered a 9.9 to close out the event and to tie for third place. With the troubles on floor, Auburn posted its lowest score of the season with a 48.425.

Competition for Auburn concluded on vault, as the Tigers recorded a 48.925 in the fifth rotation. Puckett led the way with a 9.9 as the event anchor to finish tied for runner-up honors. Shields earned a 9.775 as the second vaulter.

Uneven Bars - 49.075
Krissy Voss - 9.775
Kylie Shields - 9.7
Allyson Sandusky - 9.875
Carmen Nelms - 9.825
Lindsey Puckett - 9.75
A.J. Mills - 9.85

Beam - 48.825
Lauren Brzostowski - 9.675
Katie Hurley - 9.725
Allyson Sandusky - 9.775
Kylie Shields - 9.85
A.J. Mills - 9.8
Lindsey Puckett - 9.2

Floor Exercise - 48.425
Carmen Nelms - 9.775
Claire Seiffert - 9.25
Krissy Voss - 9.6
Rachel Inniss - 9.85
A.J. Mills - 9.3
Lindsey Puckett - 9.9

Vault - 48.925
Allyson Sandusky - 9.75
Kylie Shields - 9.775
Krissy Voss - 9.75
Claire Seiffert - 9.75
A.J. Mills - 9.75
Lindsey Puckett - 9.9

All-Around
Lindsey Puckett - 38.750
A.J. Mills - 38.700