LSU gymnastics senior vault and beam specialist Scarlett Williams had an opportunity to redeem herself during LSU’s victory against Alabama on Feb. 27, and she seized it.
When senior all-arounder Rheagan Courville was sidelined with flu-like symptoms, LSU coach D-D Breaux turned to Williams. She hopped on the beam with the score tied in the fourth rotation.
“There was a lot of pressure,” Williams said. “I didn’t tell [Breaux] until after, but Alabama is the only place I have ever fallen in my whole career. I felt like I owed it to myself, and that it was an opportunity God gave me to redeem myself.”
She redeemed herself with a 9.825, helping LSU secure the victory and an undefeated season in Southeastern Conference play.
“Her role here is very significant,” Breaux said. “For her to step in at Alabama, give us a 9.825 and be one of the scores that counted in a victory over Alabama. That’s a significant role.”
But Williams almost didn’t get the opportunity. Her career nearly ended after two years of college competition.
Williams, a transfer from Arkansas, suffered a torn achilles tendon while training on floor before her 2013 junior season. She had surgery that repaired the torn tendon and was a month down the road to recovery when she tore it again.
“There was hope, but I really felt down after the second [injury],” Williams said. “The healing process was a little longer just because of the second tearing, but it’s actually kind of a blessing when it happened because I had all season to rehab.”
She missed the entire competition season but was still in the gym every day. Because she didn’t compete in any meets in the 2013 season, Williams received a medical redshirt, granting her a fifth year of eligibility.
She made a full recovery but doesn’t compete on floor to avoid putting extra strain on the surgically-repaired tendon.
The Baton Rouge native graduated from Arkansas in May 2014 and entered LSU’s Masters of Business Administration program. Williams asked Breaux if there was a spot for her on the team, and Breaux jumped at the opportunity to add a gymnast with Super Six Championship experience and four years of SEC competition under her belt.
“It is everything I have ever dreamed of,” Williams said. “The coaches are absolutely amazing. They welcomed me with open arms, and the girls are so heartwarming.”
She doesn’t compete for the Tigers as much as she did at Arkansas, but the fifth-year senior has been instrumental in mentoring the underclassmen and preparing the seniors for life after gymnastics. 
Senior all-arounder Lloimincia Hall said Williams had a “motherly-like role” since the first day of training.
“There’s a lot of things about her that a lot of people don’t know,” said sophomore all-arounder Ashleigh Gnat. “She has a full-time job. She is an MBA student, and she is in here practicing with us. She is really busy, but she dedicates herself to this team. She is an encourager and such a force in the gym.”
Williams said she has formed relationships that will last a lifetime with her current teammates, and although she loved Arkansas, she is fortunate to be with this team for her last year.
“It is a great team that I am with,” Williams said. “I couldn’t be happier.”
You can reach Jacob Hamilton on Twitter @jhamilton_TDR.