AUreo

Signing both Nick Smith and Jarace Walker would be epic. I still hope we can find a way to sign Cruz.

Good read and some great information! Excerpt: MM: Jeff, what does having an All-Around Olympic gold medalist coming to Auburn mean for your program? Jeff Graba: I think it's funny because I don't think anybody was prepared for what it would actually do. I mean, I think we sold our season tickets out in four days. We have more season tickets sold for us than men's basketball has. I feel like none of us were prepared for that end of the chaos that ensues. Our girls have said this before, Suni's just as talented as she was before. They all knew. When you have somebody of that talent level and that determination and that focus level coming in, it ramps up everybody around you. Everybody tries to get a little bit better. Everybody works a little bit harder. We've already seen that in the gym. A lot more focus on the people who are potentially losing a lineup spot or who think that they want to compete in the fifth spot or the fourth spot to be able to match up with somebody of this stature. It's been phenomenal for me, but it's the first time it's ever happened in NCAA gymnastics. It's almost like when people ask me what it's like to be a twin? I'm not sure I can answer that.

History Made: Auburn soccer meets its longest win streak ever https://www.theplainsman.com/article/2021/09/history-made-auburn-soccer-meets-its-longest-win-streak-ever [...] Written in that book will be that Auburn soccer 2021-22 is on a 10-0-0-win streak dating back to last season, the longest such streak in program history. Auburn is now a perfect 5-0-0 on the season. Previously, seven Auburn teams had started 4-0-0 or better. Auburn secured this record by taking down a tough UT Chattanooga 3-0. The game featured unstoppable defense and a lot of pressure from the Tigers. As if program history isn’t enough, with Sunday’s win, the Tigers also claim the longest active win streak in D1 soccer. Combined with the highest national rank in program history and a win against a Top-15 ranked opponent for the first time in four years, Auburn soccer is making incredible strides this season. [...] The Tigers will go on to host Alabama A&M at home on Thursday, Sept. 9 before hosting No. 1 ranked and defending national champion FSU at home on Sunday, Sept. 12. War Eagle!

I like this weekend even better: Jan28 vs Alabama (Gymnastics) and then Jan29 vs Oklahoma (Basketball)!

Good catch “Auburn will also be participating in an expanded Elevate the Stage quad meet on March 6 in Huntsville, featuring national contenders Alabama and Georgia plus an Arkansas team coached by another Olympic gold medalist in Jordyn Wieber”

This is a great schedule, esp. Auburn at Michigan 2022 Gymnastics Schedule Auburn closes out the regular season with a contest at defending national champion Michigan on March 11 in Ann Arbor. Tickets for single meets go on sale December 1. https://auburntigers.com/sports/womens-gymnastics/schedule at UNC at Arkansas vs Iowa State vs Alabama at LSU vs Missouri at Georgia vs Kentucky vs Florida @ Elevate the Stage in Huntsville, AL (Auburn, Arkansas, Georgia, Alabama) at Michigan 2022 SEC Championship in Birmingham, AL 2022 NCAA Regional Championship in Auburn, AL 2022 NCAA Championship in Fort Worth, TX

That Florida Gators team is basically an NCAA All-Star team, insane recruiting. Add Alabama and LSU to the mix and then Auburn and Arkansas. This is going to be an amazing season.

2021 Lineup Predictions: SEC Part I Link (Auburn, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida): https://offbalancegym.wordpress.com/2021/08/28/2021-lineup-predictions-sec-part-1/ Auburn The big news for Auburn this year is Sunisa Lee. She’s likely to be a huge contributor for the team this season! Auburn is only graduating one routine on beam, which Lee can surely replace. If Drew Watson, Aria Brusch, and Cassie Stevens are healthy this year, it should be a strong season for Auburn. They don’t have as much to work with as some previously mentioned teams, but they have the foundation for a breakout season. Vault Predicted Lineup Options: Drew Watson (NQS: 9.894), Derrian Gobourne (9.894), Sara Hubbard, Cassie Stevens (9.75), Adeline Sabados (9.819), Piper Smith (9.788), Sunisa Lee Alternates: Olivia Hollingsworth (9.781), Payton Smith (9.769), Jada Glenn (2020 NQS: 9.745), Sophia Groth Auburn has the potential to have very competitive difficulty on this event, with at least 4 10.0 start value vaults likely to make the lineup. I’m not sure if we will see Lee here, and if we do, I don’t know what vault she will compete, but she’s definitely in the conversation. However, the star freshman on vault should be Hubbard. She scored a perfect 10 for her Yurchenko 1.5 multiple times as a level 10. Stevens scored considerably lower last season than in 2020 and stuck with a full, so she will want to get back to 2020 level to keep her spot secure. With the top athletes all healthy, this really should be an improved event for Auburn this season. Bars Predicted Lineup Options: Sunisa Lee, Derrian Gobourne (9.913), Piper Smith (9.881), Aria Brusch (9.875), Adeline Sabados (9.831), Cassie Stevens (9.825), Anna Sumner (9.813), Sophia Groth Alternates: Drew Watson (2020 NQS: 9.810), Gabby McLaughlin, Olivia Hollingsworth (Avg: 9.65) Lee, Gobourne, Smith, and Brusch are locks in my opinion, and the remaining spots are mostly between Sabados, Stevens, Sumner, and Groth. They tend to be a bit more 9.7y than Auburn would like, but they are consistent and reliable options. Drew Watson can be quite good on this event but wasn’t in the lineup last season, so watch to see if she makes an appearance. We’re likely to see a lot of shuffling in this lineup throughout the season. I’m also very intrigued to see which skills Lee decides to include in her college routine. Beam Predicted Lineup Options: Sunisa Lee, Cassie Stevens (9.846), Gabby McLaughlin (9.819), Aria Brusch (2020 NQS: 9.810), Morgan Leigh Oldham (9.794), Olivia Hollingsworth (9.765), Drew Watson (9.753) Alternates: Derrian Gobourne (9.719), Sara Hubbard, Piper Smith (9.575), Sophia Groth, Allie Riddle (2019 NQS: 9.810) Beam is definitely not Auburn’s best event, but Lee should help revitalize the lineup, and McLaughlin is one of my favorites to watch here. Due to injury, Brusch didn’t have a great season on beam in 2021, but I would keep her near the top of the list. Hubbard has a risky LOSO mount, so if she manages to crack the lineup, keep an eye out for that. Allie Riddle hasn’t competed since 2019, but she is really fun to watch on beam, so I’m listing her here for feelings reasons, but she’s not a likely contributor. Floor Predicted Lineup Options: Derrian Gobourne (9.956), Cassie Stevens (9.881), Drew Watson (9.869), Aria Brusch (2020 NQS: 9.84), Sunisa Lee, Sophia Groth, Sara Hubbard Alternates: Adeline Sabados (9.806), Olivia Hollingsworth (9.788), Morgan Leigh Oldham (9.769), Gabby McLaughlin (Avg: 9.733), Ananda Brown Gobourne should continue to be the undisputed star of this lineup. I can’t wait to see what kind of routine she comes up with for this season. We didn’t get to see a ton of Brusch on floor last season, but if she’s healthy, I expect her to contribute. Ideally, we will see Lee here as well, at least for postseason, but I’m not sure how her busy fall schedule and injury recovery will affect her readiness on floor. Groth and Hubbard are also good freshman options, and I think this is where Brown is most likely to contribute, but I haven’t seen any recent scores or videos from her. I think Hollingsworth is also an intriguing option. She struggled a bit with landing control last year, but I think she has a lot of potential on this event, so I predict that she will see some time in the lineup at some point this season.

oanow.com Meeting Suni Lee: Auburn’s Olympic gold medalist finds peace and balance on the Plains Suni Lee pulled at the door, but couldn’t get it open. She gave the handle another yank. Locked. The Olympic gold medalist was stuck outside — until someone came to pop ... fully story: https://oanow.com/sports/college/auburn/meeting-suni-lee-auburn-s-olympic-gold-medalist-finds-peace-and-balance-on-the-plains/article_e270b91c-0a89-11ec-9712-cf3c1465753d.html Auburn practice Olympics 2024 Dancing with the Stars and L.A. move - - - - - Most Anticipated Elite Freshmen in the All Around https://collegegymnews.com/2021/08/31/most-anticipated-elite-freshmen-in-the-all-around-2/ Some big names listed here: Suni, of course but also Leanne Wong (Florida), Jade Carey (Oregon State), Kara Eaker (Utah), Morgan Hurd (Florida), Emma Malabuyo (UCLA), Jordan Chiles (UCLA), Grace McCallum (Utah), Aleah Finnegan (LSU), Riley McCusker (Florida), Amelie Morgan (Utah). That's 9 Team USA gymnasts, 1 Team GB gymnast, 2 Olympic gold medalists, several Olympic silver and bronze medalists, 5 Olympians, World Champions...probably the most talented and decorated incoming freshmen group in NCAA sports history. - - - - - After Almost Quitting Gymnastics, Konnor McClain Commits to LSU and 2024 Olympics https://collegegymnews.com/2021/08/31/after-almost-quitting-gymnastics-konnor-mcclain-commits-to-lsu-and-2024-olympics/ Not directly Auburn related but there is still some hope that Graba & Suni might be able to flip her.

A few weeks ago, three incoming AU freshman (Men) made it into the Top 20 recruiting rankings. Now the Women Top 20 re-rank (2021): https://swimswam.com/re-rank-top-20-girls-ncaa-swimming-recruits-class-of-2021/ 8. Ellie Waldrep (Previous Rank: #19) – Baylor Swim Club– Baylor School – Chattanooga, TN **Committed to Auburn** Best Times: 100 back – 51.75, 200 back – 1:53.72, 100 fly – 53.66, 200 IM – 1:58.73, 50 free – 23.03, 100 free – 50.55 Waldrep is a promising talent that followed up a stagnant junior year by making a big splash as a senior. Waldrep was 52.4 in the 100 back in 2018-19, and then after essentially matching her PB last season, dropped a sizzling 51.75 this past February and then tied that clocking in April. 50-yard stroke times are generally overlooked in college swimming since they aren’t raced individually, but Waldrep’s 50 back best of 24.14 would’ve been mid-pack in the 200 medley relay at the 2021 NCAAs, something that should give a big boost to an Auburn team that failed to field any NCAA relays last season. And given that sprinting ability, Waldrep’s progression in the 200 back is even more impressive, as the Baylor swimmer sliced three seconds off her best last season in 1:53.72, a time that easily makes the championship final at SECs and would’ve been just .05 outside of scoring positions at NCAAs last season. Waldrep also has a solid 53-mid 100 fly, and dropped two seconds in the 200 IM last season, so there are options for a third event. A 23.0 flat-start 50 free will also provide the Tigers with some relay depth that was lacking last season. HONORABLE MENTIONS Abby McCulloh (Previous Rank: Honorable Mention) – SwimAtlanta – Parkview High School – Lilburn, GA **Committed to Georgia** (Auburn decommit) Best Times: 1650 free – 16:09.55, 1000 free – 9:43.78, 500 free – 4:41.53, 200 free – 1:47.86 Lexie Mulvihill (Previous Rank: unranked) – Tampa Elite Aquatics – George Steinbrenner High School – Lutz,FL**Committed to Auburn** Best Times: 50 free – 22.22, 100 free – 49.35, 100 fly – 53.16, 200 fly – 1:57.93, 200 free – 1:49.36, 100 back – 55.73 Mulvihill’s elite sprinting ability continued to evolve in her senior year, dropping two tenths in the 50 free to rank her among the class’s top five and put her new best of 22.22 dead on what it took to earn a second NCAA swim last season. Mulvihill showed some consistency with four swims 22.7 or better last season, brought her 100 down a few tenths in 49.3, and took big leaps in butterfly. From a 54.6/2:02.3 flyer to 53.1/1:57.9, Mulvihill is all of a sudden right on the cusp of NCAA invite times in both events, and instantly becomes a viable option to swim fly on any given medley relay for the Tigers, not just freestyle. She also dropped more than a second in the 200 free, showing improvement across the board which was a rarity last season. BEST OF THE REST Sprint free: Rebekah Hamilton (22.5/48.9/1:46.9, 53.8BK, 53.8FL)**Committed to Auburn** Butterfly: Avery Bargeron (53.2/1:57.8, 4:45FR**Committed to Auburn**

Looks like Alabama is currently somewhat in the lead… I could only find this quote on his visit to Auburn back in June (June2021, USA Today): “I really liked it,” Jarace Walker, a five-star prospect from IMG Academy, said per Auburn Undercover. “I love the town, the campus, the dorms, everything. I am seriously considering Auburn. I like everything about it.”

^ Top target! What are our chances landing him?

Love the background!

Tons of options with the entertainment industry in L.A. Let’s hope Suni will be quite busy and won’t be able to spend too much time with Jordan Chiles @UCLA. This would make me nervous. EDIT Jordan won’t be around since she is joining the Simone Biles tour (so now worries here)

Just imagine, Suni, Tim Cook, Bo, Barkley, Rowdy, etc attending the Iron Bowl. More celebs than at a Lakers game…

Looks like she is moving to Los Angeles for two months - she will be back for the Iron Bowl and Gymnastics season… - - - Suni Lee checked the calendar to make sure Dancing With The Stars wouldn’t make her miss the Iron Bowl. The show runs to late November, but she didn’t want to miss her first rivalry game as an Auburn student — no matter what. “The last show is on the 22nd. I had to make sure,” Lee laughed on Friday. “I was like, ‘Phew.’” Full story: https://oanow.com/sports/college/auburn/i-m-here-suni-lee-explains-how-she-ll-balance-online-auburn-classes-with-dancing/article_d7d15dd8-077b-11ec-889a-0fd9429435cd.html

Why aren’t we recruiting Arch again? I know chances are slim… but still curious.

Not sure about the logistics but great publicity for Suni&Auburn + In 2019, Variety reported that DWTS contestants receive $125,000 for the pre-show rehearsal period, as well as for the first two weeks of competition. Stars earn additional pay bumps the longer they remain in the hunt, with sources telling the publication that the most a contestant can earn is $295,000.

There is some reddit discussions on current top contenders who could represent the U.S. at this year’s World Championships: Based on peak AA scores this year, they have “Kayla DiCello, Olivia Greaves, Konnor McClain, and Karis German” make the team. This would be an All-SEC team: DiCello (Florida), Greaves (Auburn), McClain (LSU), and German (Alabama)”. The other top sr. elite gymnasts will either join the Simone Biles’ “Gold Over America Tour” or rest for the upcoming NCAA season. This would be a great chance for Olivia to get some more international elite experience and generate more publicity for Auburn. Recruiting Update Some online rumors that Elizabeth Gantner (5-star and #1 recruit in the nation) has re-opened her recruiting and is no longer committed to UGA. Let’s hope Graba is on the recruiting trail…

LEXIE MULVIHILL REMAINS WITH AUBURN AFTER INITIAL RELEASE FROM NLI https://swimswam.com/lexie-mulvihill-remains-with-auburn-after-initial-release-from-nli/ ... Despite being released from her National Letter of Intent (NLI) in the spring, Lexie Mulvihill will remain at Auburn University and begin her collegiate career there for the 2021-22 NCAA season. Mulvihill, who was Auburn’s first verbal commitment from the high school class of 2021 back in September 2019, was released from her NLI in late April, along with fellow recruit Abby McCulloh, after it was learned that Gary Taylor would be leaving the program after three years as head coach. Just a few days after Taylor’s departure was reported, the Tigers announced that Ryan Wochomurka would be taking over the program as head coach after six seasons at the University of Houston. On keeping Mulvihill in the fold, Wochomurka told SwimSwam: “We are excited to welcome Lexie to our Auburn Swimming & Diving Family with our other incoming freshmen.” Mulvihill joins a solid freshman class for the Tigers that includes our 14th-ranked recruit Rebekah Hamilton and #19 Ellie Waldrep.

I would like to land Sebastien Sergile (Swim Atlanta, Alpharetta, GA), ranks #9 in the 2022 class): https://www.swimcloud.com/swimmer/516678/ Florida Gators recruiting is somewhat regressing, still solid but not outstanding. UGA is currently recruiting half of South Africa's national team (both Men and Women). They already have secured a commitment from Matt Sates (next Michael Phelps). NC State with some top recruiting classes (esp. Men's Swimming). I think they could win a few national championships in the coming years.

This is a very strong incoming Freshman class (3 Auburn signees rank in the National Top20). Probably the best class in years? - - - - - RE-RANK: TOP 20 BOYS NCAA SWIMMING RECRUITS, CLASS OF 2021 https://swimswam.com/re-rank-top-20-boys-ncaa-swimming-recruits-class-of-2021/ 14. Henry Bethel (Previous Rank: unranked) – Carpet Capitals Aquatic Club – Dalton High School – Dalton, GA **Committed to Auburn** Best Times: 200 IM – 1:45.54, 100 breast – 52.96, 200 breast – 1:56.77, 200 free – 1:37.20, 200 back – 1:48.58, 100 free – 44.73, 50 free – 21.07 The first swimmer to go from unranked (not even an honorable mention, in fact) into the top 20, Bethel joined the class’s elite by dropping a 1:45.54 200 IM in February, having been 1:47-flat as a junior. Bethel also took a huge leap forward in the 100 breast, going from 54.0 to 52.9, and his 200 saw a massive eight-second drop at one meet last December: 2:04.8 to 1:56.7. The 200 free is very much the same story; he entered his senior year having never broken 1:40, and managed to dip down to 1:37.2. While he may not have the high-end range in the sprints that many of his counterparts do in this class, his rapid improvement last season brings him up into these rankings. A swimmer riding the momentum of recent improvement entering their freshman year, versus one that’s been stagnant, can be a huge trajectory indicator in a collegiate career. Bethel is on the right side of it. 15. Jacques Rathle (Previous Rank: Honorable Mention) – Crawfish Aquatics – ED White High School – Thibodaux, LA **Committed to Auburn** Best Times: 400 IM – 3:45.90, 200 IM – 1:46.45, 200 free – 1:35.65, 100 breast – 54.40, 500 free – 4:23.32, 200 breast – 1:58.68, 100 free – 44.92 Rathle, who will be joining Bethel at Auburn, experienced success similar to his future Tiger teammate as a high school senior. An honorable mention in last season’s rankings, Rathle knocked more than four seconds off his 400 IM in 3:45.9, putting him within two seconds of class leader Matt Fallon, and also developed his 200 IM (1:48.0 to 1:46.4) and 100 breast (55.7 to 54.4) impressively. But it was the 200 free that really stands out for Rathle, who went from it being an afterthought in his repertoire (1:38.7 as a junior) to joining the class’s best with a 1:35.65 in March. That performance came on a relay lead-off, which is fitting because he likely won’t swim the event individually at SECs or NCAAs, given its proximity to the 400 IM. A byproduct of that 400 IM/200 free success was his 500 free, which improved by almost five seconds in 4:23.3. Rathle’s improvement curve, not unlike Bethel’s, says good things are coming for Auburn in future seasons. 19. Nate Stoffle (Previous Rank: #19) – Spartan Aquatic Club – Brockwood High School – Lilburn, GA **Committed to Auburn** Best Times: 100 back – 46.63, 200 back – 1:43.51, 50 free – 20.06, 100 free – 45.15, 100 fly – 48.37 Stoffle further cemented his status as one of the best backstrokers in the class as a senior, dropping a 1:43.51 200 back in late March. The Auburn commit also dropped his 100 back down a half-second in 46.6, and made strides in some of his off-events, including dropping his 50 free seven-tenths for a very respectable 20.06. Stoffle’s individual success this past season was bolstered by a strong group of teammates at Spartans Aquatic Club, where he helped them break a pair of National Age Group relay records—which included him splitting 19.5 on the 200 free relay. While Auburn only had a few swimmers compete at NCAAs last season, their incoming class is strong, and Stoffle will be a big part of the team from the jump, and will likely slot in as the Tigers’ top backstroke option as a freshman. He’ll also be joining his brother, Aidan, a rising junior at Auburn.