Auburn gymnastics returns to Neville Arena, Suni Lee notches career-high 9.95 on vault

AUBURN — The Jungle was rocking, Suni Lee scored a career high on vault and Derrian Gobourne ended the meet by placing an imaginary crown on her head during her floor routine.

It's official: Auburn gymnastics has returned to Neville Arena.

The No. 7 Tigers hosted No. 25 Arkansas on Friday for their first home meet of the season, defeating the Razorbacks in front of a packed home crowd, 197.5-196.675. Auburn also watched a banner go up into the rafters before the meet began in honor of the Final Four run it enjoyed in 2022.

Lee won the all-around with a 39.75 after she began with a career-best 9.95 on vault. She followed that with a 9.975 on bars in the second rotation, much to the chagrin of the Auburn faithful.

The crowd begged for a perfect score after Lee stuck her landing, but only one judge agreed. The other gave her a 9.95, which resulted in the 9.975. Collectively, the Tigers finished with a 49.375 on bars, their second-best showing in the event this season. They picked up a 49.4 in the Super 16 to open their season in Las Vegas on Jan. 7.

Lee added a 9.85 on beam in the third rotation and wrapped up with a 9.975 on floor, debuting a new routine in the latter event.

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Three other Tigers performed in all four events and logged all-around scores: Sophia Groth (38.75), Olivia Hollingsworth (39.175) and Cassie Stevens (39.45). Groth and Gabby McLaughlin led Auburn on beam with a pair of 9.9s, and Lee's 9.975 on floor was the best mark for the Tigers.

Gobourne received a 10 from one judge for her floor routine, but a 9.9 from the other, resulting in a 9.95 to end the meet.

Auburn will next compete against North Carolina State on Jan. 27 at home.

Richard Silva is the Auburn 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 scores career-best 9.95 on vault in Auburn's first home meet