Suni Lee's status for Auburn gymnastics in NCAA regional updated by Jeff Graba

Richard Silva, Montgomery Advertiser
·2 min read
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AUBURN — Auburn gymnastics is set to compete in the 2023 NCAA Los Angeles Regional on Thursday, but it's unclear if Suni Lee will be able to participate.

Lee, who is in the midst of her final season with the Tigers, has missed Auburn's last three meets. She was ruled out against Kentucky on March 4 due to "schedule changes," but ahead of the regular-season finale against Penn State on March 10, coach Jeff Graba released a statement announcing Lee would once again be absent, this time to due to "a non-gymnastics health issue that has impaired her ability to train."

She also missed the SEC Championship on March 18 for the same reason. She traveled with the team for the meets at Kentucky and in Duluth, Georgia, for the SEC Championship, and was present at Neville Arena against the Nittany Lions.

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After the Penn State meet, Graba explained the Tigers recently "just decided to quit talking timetables" in regard to Lee's return. He added: "We're talking day-to-day and putting a lot of trust in our medical staff. ... She's been handling it phenomenally, and so have her teammates."

Graba shared similar sentiments at a news availability Monday.

"It's day by day," he said when asked if Lee will be able to compete in Los Angeles. "We have three days left before the meet, and we'll play it by ear. But we always prepare for both scenarios and I don't think you have to worry too much if she's ready to go (or not). I think we know what to do with our lineups at that point.

"We've been really doing a good job of trying to prepare in case she doesn't go. So, nothing new on that. That's a doctor decision more than it's a coach decision."

Asked if Lee could return in a limited role or if she's all or nothing, Graba said "anything is available at this point."

The Tigers will travel to Los Angeles on Tuesday and compete against Utah, Southern Utah and Washington at Pauley Pavilion on Thursday (4 p.m. CT). The top two scoring teams will move on to the Sweet 16 on April 1.

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Suni Lee: Auburn gymnastics update for NCAA Regional from Jeff Graba