After suffering two falls and a step-out in floor, the No. 2 LSU (2-1, 1-1 SEC) gymnastics meet pulled off a 197.175-196.850 comeback win against No. 14 Auburn (1-2, 0-2 SEC) Saturday afternoon in the PMAC.
The meet was postponed from Friday night after light snowfall caused major road closures that forced officials to cancel classes and all athletic events at LSU.
Two judges showed up late because of road closures caused by Friday’s inclement weather, so all six of LSU’s vaulters did their routines before Auburn began bars. The teams followed the same pattern during the second rotation, but the meet resumed its usual back-and-forth rotation for beam and floor.
“We got to come in here on Friday and do mental sets and get prepared, and it gave us an extra day of rest,” said senior Sarie Morrison. “. …[The lay-offs] were an adjustment, but it’s good because it prepares us for SEC’s, regional’s and national’s when we have byes in between events.”
The Tigers kicked off the competition with a 49.400 on vault, anchored by junior Rheagan Courville’s 9.925. LSU and Auburn both scored 49.075 on bars, but Auburn led 98.500-98.475 halfway through following its 49.425 vault score.
Junior Jessie Jordan picked up a 9.925 to anchor the Tigers’ beam lineup, which earned a team score of 49.175. But Auburn extended its lead after two 9.900’s lifted its floor score to 49.300.
Senior Kaleigh Dickson started LSU’s floor lineup and shifted the momentum with a 9.900. Courville picked up a 9.950 as the Tigers earned a 49.525 team score to clinch the victory.
“We made a statement and stepped out on floor with Auburn ahead of us by .150,” said LSU coach D-D Breaux. “With two even teams, that’s a hard margin to make up, and you’ve got to do it in three or four routines. …Kaleigh stepping out and giving us a 9.9 was exactly what we needed.”
Saturday marked the first time Dickson competed in the all-around this season. Dickson, who was a Second Team All-American in the all-around in 2011, finished third with a 39.425. Courville won the all-around with a 39.600, and Jordan came in fourth with a 39.400.
“This week’s practice was a lot better,” Dickson said. “I’ve been working on the little things every week, and we’ve all been working on the details and hitting our lineup sets. This week was a better week for all of us in the gym.”
No. 2 LSU gymnastics completes comeback against Auburn to clinch 197.175-196.850 victory
January 25, 2014
Trey McGlothin
The LSU Gymnastics team hugs after a member performs at the PMAC on 1.25.14.
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