No matter where the LSU gymnastics team competes, the focus for every gymnast is staying in “the purple zone.”
LSU coach D-D Breaux coined the term and urges her gymnasts to be aware of the purple zone — a metaphor for being focused on one’s own routine. The No. 2 Tigers (1-0) may need to heed Breaux’s advice when they travel to Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga., tonight for a meet with No. 9 Georgia (0-2) at 6:30 p.m.
Junior Lloimincia Hall said the concept of the purple zone helps her and her teammates focus on what they can control and block out what their competitors are doing.
Tonight also marks the first time LSU associate head coach Jay Clark returns to coach a competition in Athens, where he coached the Gym Dogs for 20 seasons. Clark spent his final four years at Georgia as head coach, and he produced 64 All-Americans and seven NCAA bars champions during his time in Athens.
“I recruited those kids over there, and I have a lot of relationships and friends that are still in the town,” Clark said. “I spent 27 years of my life in Athens, so it’s a place that has a lot of great memories. But the reality is that my focus is with this team and what we’re trying to do.”
LSU jumped to No. 2, its highest ranking since 2005, after posting a 197.200 against Centenary last Friday night. The Tigers’ performance earned them the highest season-opening score in program history.
“It was a tremendous beginning,” Breaux said. “People have been throwing stats at me ever since the competition, but the most important factor is we showed a lot of consistency and a lot of depth in our lineup.”
LSU displayed its depth with 11 different gymnasts competing against Centenary. The Tigers go in to the meet against Georgia ranked second on vault with a 49.425, third on floor and beam with a 49.400 and a 49.250, respectively, and 10th on bars with a 49.125.
Junior Rheagan Courville climbed to No. 1 in the all-around rankings following her 39.600 against Centenary. Courville tied with fellow junior Jessie Jordan for the top spot on balance beam with a 9.925, and Courville’s 9.950 on floor earned her the No. 2 spot in the country.
Jordan claimed No. 3 in the all-around thanks to her career-high 39.500 last Friday. Senior Sarie Morrison received Southeastern Conference Event Specialist of the Week for her identical 9.925’s on vault and uneven bars.
“There’s always room for improvement,” Courville said. “We come in the gym every day with an intention to focus on little things, and that’s what we plan to do. If we get a half-tenth better on everything we do, it’ll all add up.”