When will Suni Lee return? What Auburn gymnastics coach Jeff Graba said after win vs Penn State
AUBURN — In an emotional Senior Night for Auburn gymnastics on Friday, athletes like Derrian Gobourne, Cassie Stevens and a handful of others may have made their final appearances in Neville Arena.
Gobourne is out of eligibility, but due to the COVID season in 2020, the other seven gymnasts honored can still return for one more go-around in 2024.
The Tigers topped Penn State, 197.6-197.025. But Olympian Suni Lee, who is in the midst of her last season on the Plains and was involved in the Senior Night festivities, was unable to compete due to a "non-gymnastics health issue that has impaired her ability to train."
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LEE'S ABSENCE:Suni Lee is out for Auburn gymnastics' meet vs. Penn State: Here's why
Coach Jeff Graba on Thursday made the announcement that Lee would be unavailable against the Nittany Lions, and he added some more context after Friday's meet.
"We, probably a week ago, just decided to quit talking timetables," Graba said of Lee. "We're talking day-to-day and putting a lot of trust in our medical staff. I feel like if we just stay focused on getting a couple days under our belt and taking a breath of fresh air, and then doing it again, I think that's the best way to approach it.
"This time of the season, it's really easy to get the anxiety level up. So, we're just trying to take it one day at a time. And she's been handling it phenomenally. And so have her teammates."
With Lee sidelined, Gobourne and Stevens stole the show. Stevens won the all-around with a 39.525 and matched her career-high mark on bars with a 9.925 in the second rotation. Gobourne tied Stevens' score on bars and vault (9.9) and earned a 9.875 on floor for her HBCU-inspired routine, closing a home meet at Auburn for the last time.
The crowd roared as Gobourne began on floor and rose to a crescendo as she finished, giving her a final sendoff. Other athletes honored as seniors − aside from Gobourne, Lee and Stevens − included Aria Brusch, Morgan Leigh Oldham, Adeline Sabados, Piper Smith and Anna Sumner.
Not a senior, but Olivia Hollingsworth impressed with a career-high 9.95 on floor.
The Tigers now shift their attention toward the SEC Championship on March 18. After that will be NCAA regionals that run from March 29-April 2.
"(Suni has) been great through everything," Graba said. "She's a competitor, she wants to be out there. She knew this was her last time in Neville Arena to compete and then go make a run for the Olympics. I think it's really emotional when you don't get to go out on your terms. To not be able to do at least an event tonight is probably frustrating, and I get it, but we've still got things left to do.
"She's a team player. I think you saw that tonight. It's obviously not fun for her to be here right now, and she's not going to miss it for the world. So, she's going to be there for her girls."
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 coach gives update on injury, return
