NCAA Gymnastics Update: Auburn Junior Shares Journey From Elementary School ‘Dream’ to Collegiate Athlete Reality

Auburn Gymnastics found one of its glistening names when junior all-arounder, Sophia Groth made it to the roster in 2022. The 20-year-old soared through the stages ever since her first step on the NCAA Gymnastics mats. From SEC Freshman of the Week to Honor Roll, Groth has cemented her presence as an Auburn Tiger through the years.

While Sophia Groth’s success has been notable, it has also been a reciprocation of her love for the sport. The jumping excitement after every run or smiling through stumbles at the NCAA gymnastics meet, the youngster’s passion has shone through beyond her success. The stem of this, Groth reveals, roots from a path of resilience and ambitions of a young Sofia.

Journey to the coveted mats of NCAA Gymnastics

Sophia Groth fetched her interest in gymnastics at the age of 5 when channeling her energy as a hyperactive kid. What then took on as a love for sparkly things, led Groth to invest 36 hours of her time in practice aged just 10. “That was a pretty big commitment I made. I made a lot of sacrifices,” the gymnast recalls. The realization that followed over hard work and the potential for greater things she held, Sophia Groth shifted her focus to securing a college with a little push from her mother. It was here that young Sophia transitioned her interest into a life dream, well attainable through a mix of talent and hard work.

“And as soon as I understood just how much potential I had, and how I could turn my dream of being a collegiate athlete into a reality, it was like I am in, I’m in it,” she says. Then just when Sophia started working towards it, the recruiting letters found their way to her as a 6th-grader; considered ‘elementary’ in the domain. A period of shortlisting colleges then came along for the all-arounder and through hundreds, Auburn was an unwavering choice for the now NCAA gymnastics star.

Sophia Groth for Auburn Gymnastics

Oklahoma and Auburn were Groth’s final choices for college by the time she was in 9th grade. A quick self-analysis of her potential and the program working best for her skill set led the gymnast right to where she stands today. For Groth, gymnastics was, on a larger picture about the path beyond the immediate run. And when Auburn offered just that, an atmosphere of being a well-rounded individual, the youngster gave back with her performances in the NCAA Gymnastics meets.

Also Read: After Struggling on Beams, Suni Lee’s Teammate Sophia Groth Opens Up on the Mental Toll of Gymnastics

Through 2 seasons, Sophia has recorded career-high scores on Vault at 9.900, Bars at 9.925, 9.950 on Beam, and 9.975 on the floor. Groth further holds honors as multiple ‘freshman of the week’ titles followed by 2023 SEC Academic Honor Roll and more. With a growing list, Groth hopes to contribute well to the NCAA Gymnastics season ahead.

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