LSU gymnastics won the NCAA National Semifinals with a score of 198.1125 to compete in the national championship. California-Berkeley will advance with the Tigers.
“We worked so hard,” senior Haleigh Bryant said. “We’re just really excited to keep going.”
Since LSU came into the meet as the highest seed, it had the privilege of performing in the Olympic order.
Although the Tigers were successful in the first two rotations, they shined in the second half of the meet. Further proving the Tiger squad is one of the best in the country, all five of LSU’s gymnasts posted scores of 9.90 or higher on beam.
Sierra Ballard scored a 9.90 in the leadoff spot, and Savannah Schoenherr followed with a 9.925. Konnor McClain scored a 9.9125, Kiya Johnson posted a 9.90 and Bryant scored a 9.950.
Simultaneously, No. 3 California had an exceptional rotation on bars, as all five of the Bears’ gymnasts scored 9.90 or higher as well.
LSU remained in the lead with 148.3875 while Cal closely followed with 148.30. Stanford remained in third with 147.850 and Arkansas trailed with 147.275.
Neck-and-neck, the meet came down to the final rotation.
Freshmen McClain and Amari Drayton led the Tigers off with scores of 9.9375 and 9.8875 respectively. KJ Johnson followed with a 9.950. Aleah Finnegan scored a 9.9625, Bryant followed with a 9.9375 and Kiya Johnson anchored with a 9.9375.
The Tigers’ dominant floor routine secured its spot in the national championship.
Although the second half of the meet was smooth-sailing for LSU, it took a while for the Tigers to gain their full momentum.
The Tigers started the meet on vault. In an event that they usually dominate in, the Tigers struggled to stick landings and perform consistent routines.
KJ Johnson and Chase Brock led the Tigers off with two 9.825s. Drayton followed with another low score of 9.8125, but Schoenherr quickly turned things around with the first 9.90 of the event. Kiya Johnson followed with a 9.875, and Bryant anchored with a 9.90.
“I thought we were a little flat when we came out,” Clark said. “I told them ‘we need to pick it up a little bit…’ This is anyone’s game.”
LSU ended the first rotation in second with 49.325. Cal ended its floor rotation in the lead with 49.413. Stanford was in third with 49.250, and Arkansas trailed with 48.8125.
The Tigers moved to bars, where Alexis Jeffrey led them off with a 9.8125. Ashley Cowan followed with a 9.875, and Kiya Johnson scored a 9.90. Konnor McClain followed with another solid score of 9.9125.
Schoenherr scored a 9.8625 to set up Bryant’s anchor score of 9.925.
LSU moved into the top spot after the second rotation, increasing their score to 98.80. Cal followed with 98.775, then Stanford with 98.5625 and Arkansas trailed with 97.950.
Oklahoma, Florida, Utah and Alabama will compete in round two on Thursday at 8 p.m., where the top two teams will advance with LSU and Cal to the national championship.
Just like the other three teams competing, LSU is hoping to bring a trophy home.
“We’re very excited to compete for something so big,” Bryant said. “We’re not done yet.”
