NCAA Gymnastics News: Auburn Junior Adapts to ‘Quite an Adjustment’ With New Recruits

During the NCAA gymnastics 2024 season, Auburn secured a season-best road score of 197.1 against LSU a few days back. Auburn has achieved a notable feat during the season because of its team’s great efforts, and one junior shone brightly in the achievements of Auburn. Auburn gymnast Sophia Groth achieved a new milestone in her collegiate gymnastics career this season by scoring the highest points. After a stellar show, she recently sat down to reflect on her gymnastics journey.

In a candid revelation, she explained how she finally got assimilated into the Auburn team after initial hiccups. Alongside, she also revealed how she fell in love with the energy of the Auburn fans lately.

Sophia Groth highlights team dynamics with new recruits

A team is not necessarily made just by accumulating some athletes. Rather, it is the chemistry and bonding among the members that make it a successful one. That is exactly what Groth pointed out in the “Everything Auburn” podcast. Auburn had multiple new faces coming in for the season. Integrating them into the system was a task, said Sophia. According to her, “So we have 11 returners and 10 new faces and it’s been quite the adjustment.” But, the team took it head-on.

“I think that’s where you saw at the beginning of the season we were trying to make those adjustments trying to figure out who we were as a team and how we were able to operate together.” Sophia Groth said. That paid off well as Groth pointed out, “It’s been awesome to see just the growth every week and taking those little steps forward.” Those little steps undoubtedly paid the team and Groth well.

Standout Gymnast for Auburn Tigers

In Auburn’s last road match against LSU, Groth shined brightly. In the bars, Groth contributed 9.8 to the team’s score of 49.100. As the Auburn team went on notching 49.300 on the floor, Groth stood up with her 9.875. They ended the night with a stellar 49.450 on the beams with Groth leading the way with her 9.925. In all Groth bagged 49.350. Last year her season-best was 39.475. With this Groth does justice to her long lineup of accolades.

Read More: Auburn Gymnastics Critics War Eagle Sophia Groth’s ‘Attack’ Mentality Following NCAA’s Quad Meet

In 2022, Sophia featured in the NCAA All-America Second Team for beam. The same year also found her in the WCGA All-America First Team for beam. Apart from the mats, Groth is making her mark in academics as well. She majors in exercise science within the College of Education. She grabbed the 2023 SEC Academic Honor Roll. Apart from that, she has bagged the SEC Freshman of the Week multiple times in 2022. It remains to be how Groth unfolds herself as Auburn faces Missouri in their last home game on Friday

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