As the calendar flips deeper into the new year, the Southeastern Conference gymnastics scene is already heating up. This Sunday, the No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks will welcome the No. 6 Auburn Tigers to Bud Walton Arena for a marquee matchup that promises high-flying action and razor-thin margins. It’s the Gymbacks’ home opener, and with both squads boasting top-tier talent, fans can expect a battle that could reshape the early-season rankings.
Razorbacks Set to Host Tigers in Top-10 Gymnastics Clash
Arkansas enters the fray hungry for its first victory of 2026 after a narrow defeat to Minnesota last weekend. The final tally read 196.775-196.700 in favor of the Gophers, but don’t let the loss fool you – that score marked the second-highest season-opening total in Razorback program history. It’s a testament to the depth and resilience of this team under head coach Jordyn Wieber, who continues to build on her foundation of consistency and grit. The Gymbacks showed flashes of brilliance across all events, particularly on vault, where they posted a solid 49.250, tying for seventh nationally. Standouts like Allison Cucci and Lauren Williams each notched 9.900s there, while Cucci led the all-around with a 39.350.
On the flip side, Auburn comes roaring in after a dominant start, dispatching NC State 197.150-196.075 in their opener. The Tigers look every bit the powerhouse, especially on floor and vault, where they’ve claimed the top spots in the country with eye-popping 49.500 and 49.475 averages, respectively. Paige Zancan dazzled with a near-perfect 9.975 on vault, and the floor duo of Sophia Bell and Olivia Greaves both hit 9.950s. But Auburn’s not invincible; their bars score of 49.000 ties them for 23rd, an area where Arkansas might exploit some vulnerabilities. Overall, the Tigers’ all-around average sits at 197.150, good for sixth in the nation, with Julianne Huff pacing the pack at 39.375.
History adds an extra layer of intrigue to this rivalry. The Razorbacks have owned the home turf against Auburn lately, not dropping a meet in Fayetteville since 2022. They’ve claimed victory in three of the last regular-season encounters here, turning Bud Walton and Barnhill Arenas into fortresses. Speaking of crowds, these matchups have a knack for drawing record numbers. Back on January 14, 2022, a whopping 11,031 fans packed Bud Walton for Arkansas’ inaugural meet there – still the second-largest attendance in program annals. Two years later, on January 26, 2024, 7,147 supporters filled Barnhill for the second sellout ever. If the energy matches those nights, Sunday could be electric.
Event-by-event, the teams stack up intriguingly. Beam stands out as the closest contest, with both squads logging identical 49.175s in their openers – tying for ninth nationally. Arkansas’ Joscelyn Roberson dazzled with a 9.950, while Auburn’s Olivia Ahern and Marissa Neal each posted 9.850 as well. Expect poise under pressure to decide this one. On bars, the Gymbacks edge out with a 49.100 (tied for 15th) behind Leah Smith’s 9.875, compared to Auburn’s lower ranking. Floor could be Auburn’s domain, but Arkansas counters with a 49.175 (tied for 15th) led by Morgan Price‘s 9.875. Vault favors the Tigers slightly, though the Razorbacks’ top performers are nipping at their heels.
From our years covering SEC gymnastics, these early-season tilts often set the tone for conference play. Arkansas needs to capitalize on home advantage and tighten up execution to notch that elusive win. Auburn, meanwhile, aims to build momentum and prove its opening salvo wasn’t a fluke. With the SEC Network broadcasting live – Alex Perlman on play-by-play and Kennedy Baker providing analysis – viewers nationwide will tune in.
Doors swing open at 3:45 p.m., with the action kicking off at 4:45 p.m. Tickets are still up for grabs online or at the venue – don’t miss what could be another chapter in this storied series. In a sport where every tenth of a point counts, this one’s bound to deliver.
