News

Star Auburn Gymnast Samantha Cerio Dislocates Both Knees And Retires From Sport

An Auburn University gymnast has retired following a gruesome leg injury. During her floor routine at the NCAA Gymnastics regional final in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she appeared to break both her legs as well as dislocating both of her knees.

Auburn’s Samantha Cerio Breaks Legs During Routine

Samantha Cerio of Huntsville, North Carolina was attempting a handspring double front with a blind landing on her first tumbling pass when she landed harder than expected and collapsed to the ground.

Cerio had earned All-SEC honors in 2017 and 2018. Medical staffers and trainers worked with her for almost ten minutes on the floor before carting her off. The crowd, in shock for a moment, gave her a standing ovation as she left.

“It was pretty tough to watch,” Auburn coach Jeff Graba said. “She’s a trouper. The last thing she said was, ‘Go help the girls.’ The girls rallied around her. They’re doing this for her right now.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

The No. 13-ranked Auburn Tigers gymnastics team did in fact rally around her and reached the championship round. However, they placed second with a score of 197.075 to host LSU.

“She’s the heart and soul of the team,” Graba added. “This is what she’s poured into the team for four years now.”

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

Cerio, an engineering major, took to social media to announce her retirement on Sunday.  On Instagram, she wrote: “Friday night was my final night as a gymnast. After 18 years I am hanging up my grips and leaving the chalk behind. I couldn’t be prouder of the person that gymnastics has made me to become. It’s taught me hard work, humility, integrity, and dedication, just to name a few. It’s given me challenges and road blocks that I would have never imagined that has tested who I am as a person. It may not have ended the way I had planned, but nothing ever goes as planned.”

“Thank you Auburn family for giving me a home and a chance to continue doing the sport that will always be my first love. I am honored to have had the privilege to represent the navy and orange AU for the past 4 years with my team by my side. Thank you for letting me share my passion with you. Thank you for letting me be a part of something bigger than myself.”

Bill Piersa

Recent Posts

Diontae Johnson Excited To Move From Panthers To Ravens, Could Help In Playoff Push

Wide receiver Diontae Johnson is reportedly settling in well with the Baltimore Ravens after the…

14 hours ago

What Happened To Aaron Judge? After Yankees Fall Short In World Series, Fans Are Asking Questions

Aaron Judge seemed to flip the script on his disastrous World Series and postseason with…

14 hours ago

As The Yankees Collapse In World Series, Free Agency Battle For Juan Soto Begins

The New York Yankees' 2024 season came to a screeching halt Wednesday night when the…

2 days ago

Dodgers Win World Series In Game 5, Yankees Blow Five-Run Lead In Disastrous Finale

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 to win…

2 days ago

Brad Pitt Makes Surprise Appearance At Mexican Grand Prix To Shoot His Movie, ‘F1’

https://youtu.be/Y69VZZt9rt4 Brad Pitt made a surprise appearance at the Mexican Grand Prix’s practice round on Oct. 26.…

3 days ago

76er’s Joel Embiid Stays In NBA News Even While Not Playing

Joel Embiid’s name came up twice in NBA news this week as he continues to…

3 days ago