The NCAA Championships held a deeper significance for Ashley Lee than the rest of the Tiger gymnasts.
In the bittersweet final meet for LSU’s lone senior, Lee earned Second-Team All-America honors with a 9.90 on vault and a career-high 9.85 on floor.
“It was such an overwhelming feeling, and I’m so thankful for how well it went,” Lee said. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget those feelings or having my team there with me.”
While the rest of the Tigers will get another year to perfect their scores after finishing in ninth place at the NCAA Championships, Lee’s gymnastics career came to an end Friday.
Lee said she always gets nervous before competing, but she felt a different sense of calm in her final meet, performing two of her best routines as a Tiger, beginning on floor.
“I’d been struggling a little bit, and to land that last pass, it felt so good,” Lee said. “It felt how it’s supposed to feel. As soon as it was over, I wanted to go back out and do it again.”
Lee had no time to celebrate, as she had to prepare for her final event as a Tiger on vault. She said she will always remember the moment after sticking her landing to earn All-America honors.
“I stood there for a really long time,” Lee said. “I just wanted to soak it up. I just remember standing there and being like, ‘Oh my gosh, I stuck it. This is what I’ve been training for.'”
Her final landing meant the end of gymnastics for the senior, who said she now has to figure out what to do with her time. Lee said what happens next remains a mystery, although she may dabble in a variety of activities.
Lee said she got through the first round of tryouts with the Saintsations, despite never having been a cheerleader before. But she had to give that up, as the final day of tryouts coincided with LSU’s national meet.
She said she may try to compete again next year, or even try out for Cirque du Soleil or other acrobatic activities in that genre.
“I’m enjoying my freedom right now, but I know just because of the person I am, I will do something else,” Lee said. “I will have a new goal. I will go on to bigger and better things. I love performing.”
Lee said it’s unfortunate she can’t join the rest of the Tigers next season, though she expects them to be a Super Six team.
Freshman Lloimincia Hall and sophomore Sarie Morrison were also Second-Team All-Americans, while freshman Rheagan Courville earned First-Team All-America honors.
Courville was the lone Tiger to advance to the NCAA Individual Event Finals, earning seventh place on vault and a spot on the podium with a combined 9.7313 between her two vaults.
In the championship, vaulters have to perform two different vaults, a challenge they don’t have to deal with during the regular season. She performed a layout vault on her second attempt, posting a 9.6625.
“I’ve done a layout, but I’ve never tried to stick them,” Courville said. “Everyone on vault doesn’t really have another vault, so everyone feels the same about it. They’re all confused. It’s kind of hectic.”
Courville, who initially didn’t even realize she qualified for the individual finals, said the experience she and the rest of the young Tigers gained will build their confidence as they prepare for next season.
“I’ve always seen All-Americans all over the gym, and it’s always been a goal of mine,” Courville said. “To accomplish it my freshman year is unreal.”
 
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Contact Rowan Kavner at [email protected]