Auburn University gymnast undergoes successful surgery after sustaining horrific leg injuries

Samantha Cerio, the Auburn University gymnast who severely injured both of her legs during a competition last week, underwent a successful operation on Monday afternoon, according to her coach.

"Sam’s surgery lasted two and a half hours and was an extreme success," coach Jeff Garba wrote on Twitter. "We know the road for full healing is going to be a long and difficult one, but we are confident that she’ll be able to make a complete recovery."

Cerio, 22, was competing in the NCAA Regional Semifinal in Baton Rouge, La., on Friday when she attempted a handspring double front on the first tumbling pass of her floor routine. The college senior landed awkwardly, dislocating both of her knees and tearing multiple ligaments, her coach said.

Medics rushed to help the injured athlete as she cradled her injured legs and yelled in pain. She received a standing ovation as she was carried off the floor on a stretcher.

Graba, who has been coaching gymnastics since the 1980s, told the Times-Picayune that he’d never seen an injury like Cerio's in his entire career, adding that the incident was "tough to watch."

WARNING: The following footage is graphic:

"She's a trooper," coach Graba said. "The last thing she said was, 'Go help the girls.' The girls rallied around her. They’re doing this for her right now."

Auburn continued on without its star gymnast to advance to the NCAA Regional Final on Saturday but fell short of qualifying for the national championships.

Cerio, who announced her retirement on Instagram shortly after the injury, is set to marry her fiance, Joseph Wood, on June 1 and has a new goal in mind now that her athletic career has come to an end.

"She wants to walk down the aisle and get married, and we're hoping she can do that," coach Graba said.

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