When the NCAA Gymnastics Championships come to Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena later this month, there will be one notable competitor absent from the event.
Auburn’s Sunisa “Suni” Lee, a gold medal-winning Olympian, has not competed since February 24 and recently revealed that a kidney problem forced her to end her collegiate career.
Lee missed Auburn’s final three meets of the season, leaving her unable to compete in the NCAA championships. She explained the situation on Twitter.
“I am so proud of my team and the way they showed determination and resilience this season,” Lee wrote. “Auburn, thank you for the best 2 years of my life and for giving me the opportunity to make history with this amazing group. I am forever grateful for this community.”
“I have been dealing with a non-gymnastics health related issue involving my kidneys,” she explained. “For my safety, the medical team did not clear me to train and compete over the last few weeks. I am blessed and thankful to be working with the best specialized medical team to treat and manage my diagnosis. My focus at this time is my health and recovery.”
“It’s been challenging to end my Auburn career early, but I am thankful for all the love and support. I will not stop pursuing my dreams for a bid to Paris in 2024. In fact, this experience has sharpened my vision for the future.”
Lee had announced this would be her last season at Auburn before her diagnosis.
Auburn did not qualify for the final two rounds of the championship as a team, and Lee did not participate in the regional competition necessary to be eligible as an individual.
However, Lee was expected to qualify as the 2022 SEC Freshman of the Year and the defending national champion in the beam competition before the season. She was also an All-American and came in second in the all-around competition.
The 2023 NCAA Gymnastics National Championships will take place at Dickies Arena from April 13 through April 15.
The event includes a team competition of eight teams from across the country and four competitions between individual gymnasts.
Abby Heiskell (Michigan), Hannah Scharf (Arizona State), Payton Harris (Ohio State), and Chloe Widner (Stanford) have qualified as all-around competitors for individual events, and 16 event specialists will join them.
California, UCLA, Denver, Oklahoma, Utah, Kentucky, Florida, and LSU will compete in the team competitions to determine the national champion.
Tickets for all sessions can be purchased through Ticketmaster. The first semifinal begins at 1:45 p.m. CT on Thursday, April 13.