What’s next after a tough finish to a tough season for Auburn gymnastics?
Unpacking Auburn's disappointing finish to the season, and looking at the recruits coming in, the roster potential for next season, and whether it makes sense for other changes to be made.
It all fell apart for Auburn in the end.
In just a few swings, the nightmare came true, and the potential of a lost season solidified into a truly lost season when the Tigers exited the NCAA Regional semifinals on Thursday night in Baton Rouge.
It was closer than the final score indicated: Auburn was within a tenth of advancing Clemson through two bar routines in the fourth rotation, then collapse compounded on collapse: Olivia Greaves toppled backward on her dismount, Emma Grace Boyd drug her feet underneath the low bar, and even Alex Irvine missed the high bar amid the distraction of LSU celebrating a 10 and a march onward to the regional final. Irvine shook her head with a grimacing smile when she was back at the chalk bucket. It just didn’t work out. Bars was rough for Auburn to start the season and proved to be Auburn’s undoing at the end. The Tigers wanted to put it all together in the postseason, but they didn’t.
To add to the disappointment, Auburn ended the night without an individual in position to advance to nationals. The season’s done in the round of 32.
Now what?
Auburn through struggles all season had held onto the hope that in the postseason it’d have one more chance to put it all together. Now what, now that Auburn is forced to face the uncomfortable reality that a rough season is finished with no redemption?