The Iron Bowl was back in Neville Arena on Friday, but the No. 18 Auburn Tigers were unable to pull out the upset over their rival, the No. 3 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Auburn fell just short, 197.250-197.950
The 197.250 was Auburn's best score of the season, and included the Tigers' best bar score for the season, a 49.225. But the best performer of the night was Auburn’s own Julianne Huff, who received the award for best all-around score at an impressive 39.525, her own career best. This was Alabama’s first win on The Plains since 2018, and the Tide secured it by just 0.7.
The Tigers started out the night on Vault and did not post a score below 9.80, an extremely impressive mark. Junior Olivia Greaves began the night with a perfectly stuck landing and an eruption from the Jungle, earning herself a 9.80 on the vault. The scores just kept on climbing for the Tigers with each landing, as Huff eventually came out on top with a 9.90 and a perfect landing.
The second rotation for Auburn was its season high score on the bars. Huff performed first for the Tigers, earning her lowest score of the night at 9.825 in another incredible performance that drew an excited reaction from her, her teammates, and the fans surrounding her. Junior Alex Irvine led the charge with an impressive 9.925 on bars and a beautifully stuck landing on her way down. Emma Grace Boyd followed behind with a 9.875, with perfect rotations, transitions, and a perfect landing to end her first rotation of the night.
Sophomore Olivia Ahern started off for the Tigers on the beam with a beautiful routine, earning her a 9.90 to lead the team on beam for the night. Hannah Hagle, Marissa Neal, and Huff all tied for second for the Tigers, all posting a score of 9.875.
Auburn ended their rotations on Floor with six incredible routines, all hitting the signature AU. Huff rounded out her all-around performance with a 9.925 her highest score of the night. She was followed closely by Neal and Ahern, who both posted 9.875s. Rounding out the night were Bryn Bartman, Greaves, and Irvine, who scored a 9.85, 9.80, and 9.80, respectively.
The Tigers will look to rebound with a trip to Norman, Okla. to face off against the No. 1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners, followed by a return to the Plains for a battle against the Michigan State Spartans to kick off spring break.
