LSU’s gymnastics team etched its name in Tiger history after winning its first national championship on Saturday in the Dickies Arena.
“It was just tremendous,” head coach Jay Clark said. “That’s all I can say.”
The Tigers were the only team to break 198, ending with a final score of 198.225. California-Berkley came in second with 197.850, Utah followed with 197.80 and Florida finished fourth with 197.3375.
After trailing Utah by .037 going into the final rotation, the Tigers performed one of their best beam routines of the year.
“It was very clutch,” Clark said. “Every team was out there fighting for their lives. It could’ve gone any of four ways.”
Sierra Ballard led off with a stellar routine, scoring a 9.950. Konnor McClain followed with a meet-high score of 9.9625, and Kiya Johnson stuck her double-full dismount to record a 9.950.
Haleigh Bryant’s routine was close to perfection, as she followed Johnson with another 9.950.
After Aleah Finnegan hit all of her passes, stuck her landing and scored a 9.950, the Tigers knew that the trophy was theirs.
“I was extremely confident when she got up there that she was going to knock it out of the park,” Clark said. “And she did.”
LSU finished with an event score of 49.7625 which is the highest scoring balance beam routine in national championship history.
The Tigers were unable to perform in Olympic order, which rotates from vault to uneven bars then beam to floor.
However, they took full advantage of starting the meet on their best event — floor.
Freshmen McClain and Amari Drayton continued to be leadoffs.
McClain led the Tigers off with a 9.925, while Drayton posted a 9.9125. Finnegan followed with a 9.9125, Bryant posted a 9.9375 and Kiya Johnson anchored with a 9.925.
The Tigers ended the first rotation in the lead with 49.6125. Cal followed closely behind the Tigers with 49.475 on the balance beam. In third was Utah with 49.4375, and Florida trailed with 49.25.
Although LSU had an exceptional first rotation, it struggled to carry its momentum over to vault.
The Tigers started the second rotation with a plethora of 9.80s.
KJ Johnson led off with a 9.80, and Finnegan followed with a 9.8375, Drayton posted a 9.825 and Savannah Schoenherr followed with a 9.875.
It wasn’t until Kiya Johnson’s pass that the 9.90 drought ceased to exist. Johnson’s 9.9125 started a rally that set Bryant up to anchor with a 9.950.
The Tigers remained on top going into the third rotation, increasing their score to 99.0125.
LSU was the only team to break 99 points by half, giving it a major advantage going into the second half of the meet.
Following the Tigers was Utah with 98.9125. After Cal’s floor exercise, its total increased to 98.850, and Florida remained trailing with 98.725.
LSU’s rally continued into its uneven bars rotation.
Alexis Jeffrey and Ashley Cowan led off the third rotation with two stuck-landings. Jeffrey’s resulted in a 9.90 and Cowan’s a 9.8875.
Kiya Johnson followed with another 9.8875, McClain scored a 9.90 and Bryant anchored with a 9.875.
LSU knew from the beginning of the season that it had the capability to be the best in the country, and the Tigers proved that to be true.
“This team is full of individuals that have incredible character and integrity and love for each other,” Clark said. “I’m just so happy for them.”
On the highest stage in collegiate athletics, they remained poised and consistent, just as they have been all season.
“I can’t even put it into words,” Bryant said. “I’m just so excited to bring this national championship back home to LSU … This lives up to every expectation and exceeds everything.”
Although the 2024 squad was excited to hold the trophy, they knew it was for more than just their 22-man roster.
“This isn’t just a win for this team,” Kiya Johnson said. “It’s a win for everyone that’s ever been involved with LSU gymnastics.”
