LSU Women's Gymnastics Holds on to Their No. 2 Ranking as They Head to Auburn for a Tiger vs. Tiger Showdown!

Photo By: Brittney Achord

2/2/2021
By: Brittney Achord
Da Boot Sports!

BATON ROUGE, LA - LSU Tiger Gymnastics holds on to their No. 2 ranking in week four according to Monday’s standings released by the NCAA.  Their overall team average of 197.008 holds them behind Florida’s 197.506 and ahead of Utah’s 197.000. 

Even with the rescheduling of the Auburn matchup last week, the Tigers hold top five spots in all four events.  Their average vault score of 49.183 brings them up to No. 5 from No. 6.  An average uneven bar score of 49.250 also brings them up one from No. 6 to No. 5.  On balance beam, the Tigers dropped one from No.4 to No. 5 with an average team score of 49.183. With an average floor score of 49.392 and depth for days, the Tigers have earned the No. 1 spot on floor.

The Tigers are also holding individual titles into week four. Coming in the top 20 individually are: 

• Sami Durante - No. 12 uneven bars
• Bridget Dean - No. 12 balance beam
• Reagan Campbell - No. 19 balance beam
• Kiya Johnson - No. 1 floor
• Sarah Edwars - No. 16 floor
• Haleigh Bryant - No. 9 vault; No. 16 balance beam; No. 4 floor; No. 4 All-Around

When asked how the Tigers used last week to prepare for Auburn, Kiya Johnson stated, “...it allowed us to come down on the training and nurse our bodies a little more to get ready for these upcoming weeks.” Johnson, normally an all-around gymnast, only competed in one event against the GymDogs back on January 22nd.  She used last week to rest her body while staying mentally prepared for Friday night’s matchup. Per Coach Jay, we could see Johnson in at least three events on Friday night against Auburn. Coach Jay stated, “I think vault, bars, and beam would be the plan for this week. If we manage that well, then try to add floor back next week.”

We could also see some new faces to the lineups this week and weeks to come.  Per Coach Jay, “It’s only depth if you use it.” From Elena Arenas, to Kamryn Ryan, Sierra Ballard, Olivia Gunter, and Chase Brock, the Tigers have a range of gymnasts very capable of producing high scores.  Per Haleigh Bryant in Monday's press conference, “The depth on this team is amazing... If one person needs a break, the next person is ready to go and it’s just an honor to have so much depth on this team.”

Coach Jay is so thankful for the foresight the SEC took when scheduling this 2021 season. In Monday’s media conference, Coach Jay stated, “As coaches we decided we would try to do a conference only schedule… As we talked through it, it looked really simple to have that bye week in the middle and one at the end…” He then went on to state, “The conference has done an amazing job of being very thoughtful in our processes whether it be our sport or any other. I think the SEC should be commended on the judicious response that it has had to all of these things.”

The Tigers are set to take on the Auburn Tigers Friday, February 5 in the Auburn Arena.  In the last 20 years, LSU holds a 14-6 record over the Auburn Tigers.  This Tiger vs. Tiger showdown will be live on the SEC Network at 6 pm cst.  It also begins the first of five straight meets for LSU through March 5.