Da Boot Sports
9/8/2021
LSU Sports Information
By: Brandon Berrio


   BATON ROUGE –LSU Gymnastics head coach Jay Clark announced the squad’s 2022 schedule, which features six meets inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
 
The schedule boasts nine teams that qualified for NCAA postseason competition and two teams that advanced to the NCAA Championship Finals in 2021.
 
“This is a really exciting schedule and especially intriguing home schedule from start to finish,” Clark said. “After only getting a couple thousand last year in the PMAC last year I know our fans are chomping at the bit to get back in and pack the place out. The environment in our home arena is unmatched, and I know our team is excited to see it at capacity again.”
 
The Fighting Tigers open the season at home against West Virginia on Jan. 7. LSU will also host SEC rivals Arkansas, Auburn, Alabama and Kentucky in Baton Rouge. The team will travel to face Missouri, Georgia, Florida and Texas Woman’s.
 
One of the most anticipated meets of the season will come on March 11 when Utah travels to Baton Rouge. The 2022 meet is part of a home and home agreement with the Tigers traveling to Salt Lake City in 2023.
 
The Tigers will compete for their fourth SEC Championship in five seasons on March 19 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala. LSU will also compete for its 32nd berth in NCAA Championships March 31-April 2 at either Illinois, NC State, Auburn or Washington.
 
NCAA Championships will take place April 15-16 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
 
Meet times and television info will be available later this fall.
 
The 2022 season ticket request list is available at www.LSUTIX.net  The list is free to join and fans on the list will receive first opportunity to purchase season tickets for the 2022 season before tickets go on sale to the public.
 

5/17/2021
LSU Sports Information
By: Brandon Berrio


   BATON ROUGE – LSU gymnastics head coach Jay Clark announced that seniors Reagan Campbell, Bridget Dean, Sami Durante, Christina Desiderio and Sarah Edwards will return to compete for a fifth season.
 
All seniors were granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA due to COVID-19. Olivia Gunter elected not to use her extra year. The Mandeville, Louisiana, native graduated in May.
 
"We are so glad these five have chosen to return," Clark said. "Olivia Gunter and her daily presence will be dearly missed, but we are thrilled to have these five returning. There is no doubt that the progress of the underclassmen this year combined with the experience of these seniors will be a great combination for success."
 
The senior class brings a wealth of experience to the 2022 team. The group boasts more than 50 meets over the last four seasons. Campbell, Durante, Desiderio and Edwards have all earned All-America honors at LSU. Dean has been a large part of LSU’s success on beam with a hit routine in all 12 of the Tigers’ meets this year.
 
The group of five will make of one of the most talented teams in the country. LSU also returns outstanding all-around performers Kiya Johnson, Alyona Shchennikova and Haleigh Bryant. Johnson was named the SEC Specialist of the Year in 2021. Bryant won the 2021 NCAA vault title and was named the SEC Freshman of the Year.
 
Kai Rivers will be healthy and back in the LSU lineup after rupturing her Achilles in the fall. Sierra Ballard, Chase Brock, All-America Olivia Dunne and SEC champion Elena Arenas also bring valuable experience for the Tigers.
 
Clark will also welcome a talented freshman class in August with Aleah Finnegan, Kaytlyn Johnson and Tori Tatum set to join the Purple and Gold.

4/4/2021
By: Brittney Achord
Da Boot Sports!
​
   SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - The mountains were not the only thing rocky in Salt Lake as the Tigers clawed their way to a spot in the NCAA Championship Semi-finals.  While the Tigers struggled in Round Two on Friday night, fighting nerves, injuries, and the altitude, they secured a spot with a 197.025 for the Regional Finals on Saturday night. They started out on the floor with a vengeance and determination to overcome Friday night’s hardships.

LSU arguably had the hardest region to compete in this weekend. Sure, all teams fight nerves. All teams fight through injuries and soreness. However, the Tigers also fought something far greater, altitude. When you are normally a mere 56 feet above sea level on a regular basis and then travel to above 4,200 feet, it plays a huge factor in your ability to breathe, your balance, and your energy needed to finish each routine strong. The Tigers crushed this struggle tonight opening with a 49.475 on floor, a 49.475 and a perfect 10 on Vault, ending with a 49.525 on balance beam. Every obstacle that came their way, they conquered. 

Tigers Found Their Breath of Fresh Air with a 49.475 on Floor

The Tigers improved their floor score by .0125 from Round 2. They left it all out on the floor tonight starting out with a huge 9.875 by Christina Desiderio. Following in the senior’s lead, Alyona Shchennikova and Sierra Ballard put up matching scores of 9.90. Sarah Edwards continued to electrify the Tigers with a 9.85.  Anchoring, Kiya Johnson hit three-for-three tumbling passes, danced gracefully around the floor, and put up a bold 9.95 to let everyone know the Tigers were not backing down. Johnson’s score tied the Tigers for first place with Utah’s 49.475 on bars while Arizona trailed by .025 with a 49.450 on beam and Kentucky trailed by 0.15 with a 49.325 on the vault.

With a 49.475 on Vault, Elevation Was Not The Only Thing Elevated

The Tigers continued to amplify the night vault after vault. While Chase Brock got things started strong with a 9.825, the Tiger would only build from there and her score would be dropped. Alyona Shchennikova and Sarah Edwards put up powerful matching scores of 9.85. Eleana Arenas continued to show her consistency adding a beautiful 9.875 to the vault score. Kiya Johnson attacked the vault with a gigantic yurchenko double full bringing the first 9.90 score to the vault line up. Haleigh Bryant anchored on vault with perfection. This being the second perfect 10 for Bryant, she joins Volunteer Coach Ashleigh Clare-Kearney Thigpen and Jennifer Wood as the third gymnast in LSU school history to score a perfect 10 on the vault at an NCAA Regional. 

LSU’s 49.475 on Vault kept them in the No. 2 spot with a 98.95 behind Utah’s 99.075 and ahead of Arizona’s 98.775 and Kentucky’s 98.725.

The Third Rotation Lands the Tigers in Third Place With a 49.275
This is where altitude really started showing its effects. You could see, as hard as these Tigers were fighting, they were also fighting for energy, strength, and air. After a fall by Kiya Johnson to start things off on bars, the Tigers rallied behind her to keep them in third place. Chase Brock showed fierce perseverance after struggling Friday night, putting up the first of three 9.85 scores for the Tigers. Haleigh Bryant and Olivia Dunne would also put up 9.85 scores for the Tigers on Bars. Alyona Shchennikova hit a difficult routine with a 9.825. It was up to Senior Sami Durante and she did not waiver. Durante swung with aggression and determination that added a 9.90 to finish bars. 

The Tigers finished bars with a 49.275 landing them in third place after the third rotation with a 148.225 behind Utah’s 148.700 and Kentucky’s 148.250.  Only 0.025 separated second and third place going into the fourth rotation. Only the top two teams would earn a spot to the NCAA National Semifinals and LSU was ending the night on the balance beam.  

From a 48.70 in Round 2, to the Best Beam Score away from Baton Rouge in an NCAA Regional 

While the Tigers had a very uncharacteristic first night on balance beam with a 48.70 and a not so great bar score that landed them in third place going into the final rotation, the seniors stepped up and led by example of what it means to be a Tiger. Starting off, Christina Desiderio put up a 9.90 routine that would spark a flame that only grew bigger with each routine. After falling in Round 2, Senior Sami Durante showed grace and determination that added a career high 9.95 to the beam score. Alyona Shchennikova followed with an aggressive 9.825. Senior Bridget Dean showed grace, consistency, and how mighty these Tigers can be with a powerful 9.925 beam score. After a fall from Kiya Johnson, it would all come down to Senior Reagan Campbell. Campbell floated across the beam with nerves of steel and a message to all that the Tigers were not giving up. Campbell, needing a 9.90 to put the Tigers in second place behind Utah, added a 9.925 to the Tiger beam score, clenching the second spot from the Salt Lake Regional for the NCAA Championship Semifinals.

With Arizona State and Kentucky ending with matching scores of 197.60, LSU with a 197.75, and Utah 197.925, Utah and LSU are advancing to the NCAA National Championship Semifinals.  

The Semifinals will be held in Fort Worth, TX on April 16. Joining Utah and LSU will be Oklahoma, Michigan, California, Florida, Alabama, and Minnesota. The first semifinal session will begin at 12:00 PM CT and the second semifinal session will begin at 5 PM CT.  Both will be can be viewed live on ESPN 2.
​

3/25/2021
LSU Sports Information
By: Brandon Berrio



   BATON ROUGE – LSU gymnasts Haleigh Bryant, Sami Durante, Kiya Johnson and Alyona Shchennikova combined to earn seven Women’s College Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Regular Season All-America honors, the association announced Thursday.
 
A gymnast earns All-America honors if they finish in the top-16 of the final NQS individual event rankings. LSU’s seven All-America honors were the second most in the SEC.
 
Overall, LSU gymnasts have combined to earn 79 All-America honors in the regular season since the association begin this honor in 2013. LSU has now combined to earn 274 regular season and meet honors in program history.
 
Bryant led the group with three All-America honors on vault, floor and all-around. In her debut season, Bryant finished third on vault, fourth on floor and ninth in the all-around in the nation. The top freshman in the country, Bryant won the SEC vault title and was named the top freshman in the SEC.
 
Johnson added two more All-America honors to push her total to five. The sophomore from Dallas, Texas, finished as the No. 1 performer on floor and 12th overall on vault. She was named the SEC Specialist of the Year and captured the SEC floor title with a perfect score, the fifth of her career and third this season.
 
Shchennikova earned her first All-America honor after finishing 12th nationally on vault. This was the first time the sophomore competed vault for the Tigers and she scored a 9.90 or high four times, including a career high 9.95 at Kentucky. Shchennikova was named an All-SEC performer on vault after scoring a 9.925 at the championship meet.
 
Durante rounds out the group honored with All-America honors. The Tigers’ anchor performer on bars, Durante scored a 9.90 or higher seven times this season. She finished 11th in the country with an NQS of 9.925 and scored a career high of 9.95 twice in 2021.
 
The LSU team begins NCAA postseason competition at the Salt Lake City Regional April 2-3. Competition will be streamed live on ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN app. The Tigers will fight for a spot in the NCAA Championships April 16-17 in Fort Worth, Texas. The squad must finish in the top two on both days to advance to the NCAA Championships.
 
Fans can follow the Tigers on the team’s social media channels: @LSUgym on Instagram and Twitter, www.Facebook.com/lsugym and at YouTube.com/lsusports.
 
Vault
Status Place Name University NQS
All America 1(t) Evy Schoepfer Oklahoma 9.963
All America 1(t) Anastasia Webb Oklahoma 9.963
All America 3(t) Ona Loper Minnesota 9.956
All America 3(t) Haleigh Bryant LSU 9.956
All America 5(t) Sierra Brooks Michigan 9.95
All America 5(t) Lexy Ramler Minnesota 9.95
All America 7(t) Trinity Thomas Florida 9.944
All America 7(t) Abby Heiskell Michigan 9.944
Second Team All-America 9 Kennedy Hambrick Arkansas 9.938
Second Team All-America 10(t) Alexia Burch Utah 9.931
Second Team All-America 10(t) Adnerys De Jesus Iowa State 9.931
Second Team All-America 12(t) Madi Dagen Oregon State 9.925
Second Team All-America 12(t) Alyona Shchennikova LSU 9.925
Second Team All-America 12(t) Luisa Blanco Alabama 9.925
Second Team All-America 12(t) Maddie Quarles Minnesota 9.925
Second Team All-America 12(t) Naomi Morrison Michigan 9.925
Second Team All-America 12(t) Lynnzee Brown Denver 9.925
Second Team All-America 12(t) Savannah Schoenherr Florida 9.925
Second Team All-America 12(t) Natalie Wojcik Michigan 9.925
Second Team All-America 12(t) Kiya Johnson LSU 9.925
 
Uneven Bars
Status Place Name University NQS
All America 1 Trinity Thomas Florida 9.975
All America 2 Lynnzee Brown Denver 9.969
All America 3 Lexy Ramler Minnesota 9.963
All America 4(t) Emily Muhlenhaupt Boise State 9.95
All America 4(t) Audrey Davis Oklahoma 9.95
All America 6(t) Margzetta Frazier UCLA 9.944
All America 6(t) Natalie Wojcik Michigan 9.944
All America 8 Luisa Blanco Alabama 9.938
Second Team All-America 9(t) Nina Schank California 9.931
Second Team All-America 9(t) Makarri Doggette Alabama 9.931
Second Team All-America 11(t) Maggie O'Hara Arkansas 9.925
Second Team All-America 11(t) Andi Li California 9.925
Second Team All-America 11(t) Katherine Levasseur Oklahoma 9.925
Second Team All-America 11(t) Maile O'Keefe Utah 9.925
Second Team All-America 11(t) Megan Skaggs Florida 9.925
Second Team All-America 11(t) Sami Durante LSU 9.925
 
Balance Beam
Status Place Name University NQS
All America 1(t) Lexy Ramler Minnesota 9.975
All America 1(t) Maile O'Keefe Utah 9.975
All America 3 Anastasia Webb Oklahoma 9.969
All America 4(t) Natalie Wojcik Michigan 9.956
All America 4(t) Ellie Lazzari Florida 9.956
All America 6(t) Leah Clapper Florida 9.95
All America 6(t) Abby Paulson Utah 9.95
All America 6(t) Elizabeth Culton North Carolina 9.95
All America 6(t) Luisa Blanco Alabama 9.95
Second Team All-America 10(t) Trinity Thomas Florida 9.944
Second Team All-America 10(t) Adeline Kenlin Iowa 9.944
Second Team All-America 10(t) Alexis Vasquez Denver 9.944
Second Team All-America 13(t) Karrie Thomas Oklahoma 9.938
Second Team All-America 13(t) Kennedy Hambrick Arkansas 9.938
Second Team All-America 13(t) Sienna Schreiber Missouri 9.938
Second Team All-America 13(t) Mary Korlin-Downs Minnesota 9.938
Second Team All-America 13(t) Cristal Isa Utah 9.938
Second Team All-America 13(t) Alyssa Baumann Florida 9.938
 
Floor Exercise
Status Place Name University NQS
All America 1 Kiya Johnson LSU 9.988
All America 2 Trinity Thomas Florida 9.975
All America 3 Lynnzee Brown Denver 9.969
All America 4(t) Mya Hooten Minnesota 9.956
All America 4(t) Derrian Gobourne Auburn 9.956
All America 4(t) Lexi Graber Alabama 9.956
All America 4(t) Haleigh Bryant LSU 9.956
All America 8(t) Lauren Guerin Iowa 9.95
All-America 8(t) Sydney Soloski Utah 9.95
Second Team All-America 10(t) Alyssa Baumann Florida 9.944
Second Team All-America 10(t) Abbey Miner Alder BYU 9.944
Second Team All-America 10(t) Anastasia Webb Oklahoma 9.944
Second Team All-America 10(t) Jerquavia Henderson Iowa 9.944
Second Team All-America 10(t) Kyana George California 9.944
Second Team All-America 10(t) Ona Loper Minnesota 9.944
Second Team All-America 10(t) Nya Reed Florida 9.944
 
All-Around
Status Place Name University NQS
All America 1 Trinity Thomas Florida 39.788
All America 2(t) Lynnzee Brown Denver 39.756
All America 2(t) Lexy Ramler Minnesota 39.756
All America 4 Luisa Blanco Alabama 39.738
All America 5 Anastasia Webb Oklahoma 39.706
All America 6(t) Natalie Wojcik Michigan 39.625
All America 6(t) Maile O'Keefe Utah 39.625
All America 8 Kennedy Hambrick Arkansas 39.6
Second Team All-America 9 Haleigh Bryant LSU 39.594
Second Team All-America 10(t) Adnerys De Jesus Iowa State 39.575
Second Team All-America 10(t) Nevaeh DeSouza California 39.575
Second Team All-America 12 Megan Skaggs Florida 39.569
Second Team All-America 13 Ona Loper Minnesota 39.556
Second Team All-America 14 Raena Worley Kentucky 39.538
Second Team All-America 15 Sierra Brooks Michigan 39.531
Second Team All-America 16 Hannah Scharf Arizona State 39.506
The WCGA is the advocate for women’s collegiate gymnastics. This coaches’ association was known previously
as the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women.
​

3/25/2021
LSU Sports Information
By: Brandon Berrio


   BATON ROUGE – LSU gymnasts Haleigh Bryant and Kiya Johnson earned the league’s top honors, voted by the head coaches from each institution, the Southeastern Conference announced Wednesday.
 
Bryant was named the SEC Freshman of the Year and Johnson was tabbed as the SEC Specialist of the Year. Bryant is the third gymnast in LSU history to be named the top freshman in the league, joining April Burkholder and Johnson. It is also the fourth time an LSU gymnast has been named the top specialist in the league. Ashleigh Gnat won the award in 2016 and 2017 and Lloimincia Hall was chosen in 2015.
                                                                                           
“We are so excited for both Haleigh and Kiya to be recognized at this level,” head coach Jay Clark said. “It is a tremendous accomplishment for our program and a glimpse of what is on the horizon for us all. We have a team full of great gymnasts and are proud of each and every one of them.”
 
The Southeastern Conference also announced Bryant, Johnson, Elena Arenas and Alyona Shchennikova as All-SEC performers. Arenas captured the vault title with a 9.95 on her Yurchenko Full. Shchennikova finished with a 9.925 on vault for second overall. Arenas and Bryant were also named to the SEC All-Freshman team.
 
Bryant earned a share of the vault title at the 2021 SEC Gymnastics Championships with a 9.95, the seventh LSU freshman to win an SEC title. Nationally, she finished the season third on vault (9.956 NQS), fourth on vault (9.956 NQS) and ninth in the all-around (39.594 NQS), the highest rankings by any freshman in the Southeastern Conference.
 
She owns career highs of 10 on vault, 9.90 on bars, 9.9 on beam, 9.975 on floor and 39.625 in the all-around. Bryant is the only freshman in the SEC and just one of two in the country to score a 10 this season. In her debut season, she scored a 9.90 or better eight times on vault and seven times on floor. In nine meets, Bryant won 11 total titles with five on vault, four in the all-around and two on floor. She was also named the SEC Freshman of the Week six times and Gymnast of the Week once.
 
Johnson captured the floor exercise title at the 2021 SEC Gymnastics Championships with a perfect 10.0 in her postseason debut. She became the 10th gymnast in conference history to score a 10.0 on the floor exercise at the SEC Championships. Johnson joined fellow LSU gymnasts Sarah Finnegan (2019) and Ashleigh Gnat (2017) as the only competitors to score a 10 at the SEC meet on floor in the past five years.
 
She finished the season as the top performer in the country on floor, competing in four meets on the event and scoring a perfect 10.0 three times. Johnson is tied with Trinity Thomas of Florida and Anastasia Webb of Oklahoma for the most perfect scores in the country this season, with Johnson and Thomas the only gymnasts with multiple perfect scores on floor.
 
She also has an NQS of 9.925 on vault, tying her for 12th place nationally, after scoring a 9.95 three times this season. Johnson has recorded season highs of 9.95 on vault, 9.925 on bars, 9.925 on beam and 10.0 on floor.
 
 
2021 SEC Gymnastics Awards
Gymnast of the Year: Luisa Blanco, Alabama
Co-Event Specialists of the Year: Derrian Gobourne, Auburn and Kiya Johnson, LSU
Freshman of the Year: Haleigh Bryant, LSU
Coach of the Year: Jenny Rowland, Florida
 
All-SEC
Shania Adams, Alabama                    
Luisa Blanco, Alabama                      
Makarri Doggette, Alabama              
Lexi Graber, Alabama           
Shallon Olsen, Alabama                    
Kaylee Quinn, Alabama                     
Sophia Carter. Arkansas                                
Derrian Gobourne, Auburn                            
Cassie Stevens, Auburn                                 
Drew Watson, Auburn                                   
Alyssa Baumann, Florida                              
Leah Clapper, Florida                        
Ellie Lazzari, Florida                         
Megan Skaggs, Florida                                  
Josie Angeny, Kentucky                                
Bailey Bunn, Kentucky                                 
Anna Haigis, Kentucky                                 
Arianna Patterson, Kentucky                         
Raena Worley, Kentucky                               
Elena Arenas, LSU                          
Haleigh Bryant, LSU                                   
Kiya Johnson LSU                           
Alyona Shchennikova, LSU                        
Sienna Schreiber, Missouri                
 
All-Freshman
Shania Adams. Alabama
Ellie Lazzari, Florida 
Bailey Bunn, Kentucky
Elena Arenas, LSU
Haleigh Bryant, LSU
Amaya Marshall, Missouri
​

3/21/2021
By: Brittney Achord
Da Boot Sports!


HUNTSVILLE, AL - Two perfect scores, three event titles, and the third highest score in school history earned the LSU Tiger Gymnastics team 2nd place last night at the SEC Championships.  While the Tigers faced some nerves the first two rotations, they made the comeback of the season.  Unfortunately, they would fall short behind Alabama 197.775 - 197.875.

Kyia Johnson wore her crown last night as it gleamed in the arena lights coming off the floor.  Johnson joined Sarah Finnegan and Assistant Coach Ashleigh Gnat in the list of LSU gymnasts to earn a perfect 10 in the SEC Championships.  This was Johnson’s third career 10 on the floor, fifth overall, and the 10th 10.0 earned in the SEC Championships.

Johnson was not alone last night as two freshmen came in like fireworks, making an explosive statement that these Tigers were not backing down, and what a statement they made.  Haleigh Bryant and Elena Arenas added their names to the list of Tigers who earned vault titles.  Arenas would score her first perfect score of a 9.95 and Bryant was nearly perfect with a 9.95 taking the 13th and 14th vault titles for LSU.  

In the all-around, Johnson came in second with a 39.625 and Bryant in sixth with a 39.450.

Post meet, head coach Jay Clark stated, “I am very proud of this team as a whole. I am proud of what they did tonight. They never lost their focus or got distracted. We showed a lot of guts and fought until the very end. They stayed true to everything we wanted them to be. I am pleased with where they are in their growth. We know where we can improve and we will keep grinding and get better. Our big goals are still out there.”
 
The Tigers Hit Handstands and a Solid 49.350 on Uneven Bars to Start the Night
 
Kyia Johnson started strong swinging with the ferocity that she has shown all season as she put up a 9.875 for the Tigers. Chase Brock showed determination as she put up a 9.825 for the Tigers. Olivia Dunne stepped up to the bars with a purpose and fulfilled it adding a 9.90 to the Tigers bar score. Alyona Shchnnikova took to the bars next with unshakeable handstands and high flying releases adding a 9.85 to the Tigers bar score. Anchoring for the Tigers, Sami Durante showed her grace, beauty, and experience finishing off the bar rotation with a 9.90.  The Tigers made a huge statement with their opening 49.350.  
 
The Tigers Persevered Through Nerves with a 49.300 on the Balance Beam
 
The Tigers were tied for second going into the second rotation. Christiana Desiderio got things started with a solid 9.80. Up next, Sami Durante and Bridget Dean followed with aggressive elegance that added matching scores of 9.875 for the Tigers beam team. Kyia Johnson continued to show strength and consistency adding a 9.90 beam score for the Tigers. Back in the anchor spot for the Tigers, Reagan Campbell finished with a strong 9.85.  The Tigers scored a 49.300 on the balance beam, trailing in second place with a 98.650 to Alabama’s 99.000 going into the third rotation.
 
The Perfect Comeback on Floor with a 49.500
 
Trailing by 0.35 going into Floor, the Tigers knew they had to make a statement.  With the LSU Fight song blaring in the arena, the girls got motivated and the Tiger fans that filled the arena joined in with their excitement.  Up first for the Tigers, Christina Desiderio set the stage with a fierce 9.85.  Alyona Shchnnikova followed and built on that energy as she put up a huge 9.925 for the Tigers on floor. Sierra Ballard brought her energy and fight to the floor adding a 9.80 to the Tiger Floor score.  Haleigh Bryant stepped out onto the floor with determination and drive scoring a 9.925 for the Tigers. All eyes were on Kyia  Johnson as she anchored on the floor for the Tigers.  Johnson exploded the arena with the comeback of the season scoring a perfect 10.0.  With a 49.500 on floor, the Tigers now trail only by 0.275 with a 148.150 behind Alabama’s 148.425.  

Continued Perfection, Closing the Gap, and Clenching Vault Titles to Finish the Night

Sami Durante not only brought her senior leadership in the fourth and final rotation, but she amplified the Tigers opening with a near perfect 9.90 yurchenko full. Alyona Shchennikoa continued to show how determined these Tigers were with another nearly perfect score of 9.925. Elena Arenas stepped up big for the Tigers, ran with a purpose, exploded off the vault, and landed with perfection adding a perfect 9.95 to the Tiger Vault score with her yurchenko full. Sarah Edwards brought all her energy to the vault matching Durante’s 9.90. Haleigh Bryant matched Arena's explosive determination and score of 9.95, both clenching the vault title for the Tigers. 

While the Tigers put up a relentless fight on vault with a 49.625, a one tenth gap remained as Alabama took first place at the SEC Championships 197.875 to LSU’s 197.775.  The Tigers may have fallen short by one tenth, but they gained so much more than a SEC title.  With seniors and juniors who have only experienced this championship one or two times, and sophomores and freshmen being here for the first time, these Tigers showed just how fierce they are and how dangerous they can be.  The Tigers walked away with the floor title, two vault titles, and a raging roar from within their souls heading into the Regional Championship meet April 2nd and 3rd.  

The Tigers head back to Baton Rouge where they await the announcement of their NCAA Regional destination.  NCAA Regional locations will be announced Monday, March 22 and these Tigers are ready.
​

​3/8/2021
LSU Sports Information
By: Brandon Berrio


BATON ROUGE – The LSU gymnastics team remained at No. 3 in the National Qualifying Score (NQS) rankings at the end of the regular season and will be the second seed at the 2021 Southeastern Conference Championships, the league office announced Monday.
 
The squad will go after their fourth-straight SEC Championship at 7 p.m. CT Saturday inside the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The Tigers will compete alongside top seeded Florida, third seeded Alabama and fourth seeded Arkansas in the fourth seed.
 
The meet will be televised on SEC Network with Bart Conner and Kathy Johnson Clarke on the call.
 
The Tigers own an NQS of 197.700 this season, which is third behind Florida and Oklahoma who sit in a tie for first. LSU’s NQS ranking is an average of the top two home scores of 198.050 and 197.875 and away scores of 197.550 and 197.325.
 
LSU will start the meet on bars and move to beam and floor before finishing on vault. LSU owns top-five rankings on all four events. The Tigers are second on vault, third on bars and floor, and fourth on beam.
 
The Tigers are the defending SEC meet champions. The 2017 squad captured the meet title for the first time since 1981. LSU defended its title in St. Louis in 2018 and New Orleans in 2019. Sarah Finnegan won the all-around title in 2018 and 2019.
 
Twenty-two LSU gymnasts have combined to win 44 SEC titles since 1981. A total of 94 All-SEC honors have been earned over the years and 14 SEC All-Freshman team honors have been awarded since 2009.
 
Fans can follow the Tigers on the team’s social media channels: @LSUgym on Instagram and Twitter and www.Facebook.com/lsugym.