When a team’s final score is more important than the outcome of the competition, a loss can provide a very real moral victory.
Such is the case for the LSU gymnastics squad going into this week’s meet.
After posting its season-high score in a loss at Arkansas on Jan. 20, No. 17 LSU (1-5, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) is confident as it travels to Athens, Ga., on Saturday to take on No. 7 Georgia (2-1, 1-1 SEC).
In collegiate gymnastics, a regional qualifying score, rather than a record, pushes a team into the post season. Competitive meets simply serve to allow squads to strut their stuff.
Senior Ashley Lee said that because of this structure, confidence and consistency throughout the season are paramount. 
“We’re really competing against ourselves,” Lee said. “We need to keep getting better, keep getting more consistent. Building off the last meet is what’s important.”
Lee and her teammates had a daunting task ahead of them after a disappointing showing in the Cancun Classic on Jan. 6, where the squad scored a 192.550 to finish fifth. 
LSU coach D-D Breaux cranked up the heat in the following week of practice, and the squad responded.
The Lady Tigers took out Auburn with a 195.025 the next week and then clocked a 196.325 in the loss to Arkansas. The season-high boosted the team’s national ranking, as well as its swagger.
“We’re coming off two great meets with two great scores, and at this point we’re really confident,” Lee said. “We know what we’re capable of doing.” 
Despite a late fall on the floor exercise that put the tied meet out of reach, Breaux was impressed with the character her team showed during the loss, calling it “tremendous.”
“The kids were much more inflated about the possibility of believing they’re as good as we tell them they are,” Breaux said.
With an extra day of practice allotted by the Saturday meet to go along with their newfound confidence, Breaux said her team will be looking to make a statement at Georgia.
“We have a great team,” Lee said. “We have so much fun together when we’re out there competing. We’re really excited about this meet.”
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Contact Alex Cassara at [email protected]