Competing in its third meet in less than 10 days, the No. 3 LSU gymnastics squad (7-2, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) continued its run of impressive road scores on Saturday, posting a school-record 197.875 in the Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas.
But LSU’s record performance wasn’t enough as No. 2 Oklahoma (6-2) avenged last weekend’s loss to the Tigers and finished first in the quad meet, tallying a score of 198.175.
No. 17 Arizona (4-5) and Kentucky (4-7) finished with scores of 195.625 and 194.850, respectively.
Two perfect scores from juniors Rheagan Courville and Lloimincia Hall highlighted LSU’s night. It was the first time since 2004 that LSU had two gymnasts post perfect scores in the same meet.
Courville’s 10.0 came on vault, the second time in her LSU career she’s posted a perfect score in the event. She also took home the all-around crown with a career-high tying 39.750.
Hall’s perfect score came on her notorious floor routine. After her performance, Hall got a thunderous reaction from her hometown crowd as chants of “10” echoed in the Fort Worth Convention Center.
For the Dallas native, it was the second 10.0 she’s scored on floor this season and the fourth of her career.
But the night wasn’t perfect for the Tigers, who are in the middle of a grueling road stretch.
“I think there was a little bit of fatigue, but you have to battle through that,” said LSU coach D-D Breaux.
In Breaux’s view, Saturday’s meet was another learning curve for a team with high championship aspirations.
“Of course we wanted to win, but the experience of being here on a podium and going against a top three team two weeks in a row will keep putting a sharper edge on the knife,” Breaux said.
The knife is getting pretty sharp for the Tigers, as Saturday marked the fifth consecutive meet they posted at least a 197.000.
LSU entered the quad meet riding the momentum of four consecutive victories, including one last Sunday against the Sooners in Norman, Okla.
That momentum was evident early on as the Tigers scored a season-high 49.600 on the uneven bars to grab an early lead.
On bars, LSU had four gymnasts post scores of at least 9.900, led by senior Sarie Morrison, another Tiger making a return to her hometown.
Morrison scored a career-high 9.975 to tie for the bars title, her fifth of the season.
Up next was the balance beam, where Courville and junior Jessie Jordan led the way. Courville tied her career high in the event, scoring a 9.950 to go along with Jordan’s 9.900.
Their efforts helped LSU finish with a respectable 49.300 on beam, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Sooners, who scored 49.575 on the uneven bars to take a lead they would not relinquish.
The Tigers then hit the floor, where they rank No. 2 behind Utah. LSU got off to a solid start as senior Kaleigh Dickson and reigning SEC Freshman of the Week Ashleigh Gnat scored 9.875 and 9.900, respectively.
A pair of shaky performances in the middle of the lineup nearly derailed the Tigers, as Jordan and junior Jessica Savona scored below their season averages. But Courville’s 9.925 coupled with Hall’s perfect score helped the Tigers finish with a solid 49.450 on floor, higher than their season average.
Hall acknowledged the pressure she was feeling, but it wasn’t just from having to anchor the lineup.
“There was pressure personally because I was at home, and I wanted to give back to people who have given to me,” Hall said. “There were so many people there who helped me on a journey that began as a dream and is now a reality.”
Breaux was pleased with the “super job” of her two anchors, which helped the Tigers overcome the miscues from the middle of the lineup.
The Tigers closed the night on vault, led by Courville’s perfect score and a memorable performance from Gnat.
Gnat scored a career-high 9.950 to go along with Courville’s 10.0. Morrison also contributed a 9.900.
Next on the horizon for LSU is a visit to No. 1 Florida, the defending national champion. According to Courville, Saturday’s meet gave the Tigers the confidence they needed to believe they are capable of winning in what promises to be a hostile environment.
“We feel great and even more ready for next week now that we have this competition under our belt,” Courville said. “We’re good enough to be able to beat them.”