History was made quietly but decisively in Auburn as sophomore gymnast Sophia Bell became the first athlete in program history to successfully land a Yurchenko double vault, one of the most difficult skills in collegiate gymnastics.
The vault, which demands exceptional speed, power, spatial awareness, and precision, placed Bell among an elite class of gymnasts capable of performing the skill at the highest level.
Judges awarded the effort a standout 9.925, reflecting both the extreme difficulty of the vault and the composure with which Bell executed it under pressure.
The moment marked a milestone not only for Bell but also for Auburn Gymnastics, underscoring the program’s continued evolution on the national stage. The Yurchenko double is rarely attempted in NCAA competition due to its risk and technical demands, making Bell’s successful landing a defining achievement for the Tigers
Coaches and teammates described the performance as the result of years of discipline and resilience. Bell’s breakthrough did not happen overnight, but rather through sustained training, perseverance through setbacks, and a willingness to attempt a skill few gymnasts dare to perform in competition.
A standout freshman campaign
Bell’s historic vault adds to an already impressive collegiate résumé. During the 2025 season, she earned a place in Auburn’s floor lineup in every meet and competed on vault 11 times. Her consistency and impact earned her SEC All-Freshman Team honors on floor, where she finished the season with a 9.9 National Qualifying Score (NQS).
She recorded a career-high 9.925 on floor five times, including performances at the Lone Star Challenge on January 11 — where she won the event title — as well as meets against Georgia, Missouri, LSU, and at the NCAA Regional Final. Bell also scored a 9.9 on floor at the NCAA Regional Semifinal and posted 11 floor routines of 9.8 or higher during her freshman campaign.
On vault, Bell notched two career-high scores of 9.9, first against Oklahoma on February 28 and again at the NCAA Regional Final. She added three more vault scores of 9.825 during the season, further highlighting her all-around reliability.
Elite background and academic success
Before arriving at Auburn, Bell was a four-time Development Program National Championship qualifier and finished third nationally on vault with a score of 9.9. She dominated Region 4 competition, earning four floor titles, three bars championships, and three vault and all-around crowns. Bell also captured multiple Missouri state titles, including the 2024 vault championship.
Off the mat, Bell has matched her athletic excellence with academic achievement. She was named to the 2024–25 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll and is a pre-business major in Auburn’s Harbert College of Business.
As Auburn continues to build momentum in the SEC and beyond, Bell’s historic Yurchenko double stands as a symbol of how athletes are pushing the boundaries of collegiate gymnastics, redefining what is possible with precision, courage, and sustained excellence.
