Some members of the No. 6 LSU gymnastics team will take a break this weekend with the Southeastern Conference championship meet looming.LSU closes out its regular season tonight when they travel to Shreveport to face Centenary.But several high-profile gymnasts will not compete in several events.One key gymnast that is expected to rest is senior Ashleigh Clare-Kearney. Clare-Kearney was seen leaving last weekend’s meet against NC State in a walking boot and has been wearing the boot all week. LSU coach D-D Breaux said Clare-Kearney will compete only on bars tonight.Clare-Kearney said she will be competing at full strength by the SEC meet.”I just feel like I need a week off,” Clare-Kearney said. “But I’ll be fine for [the SEC meet] for sure.”Junior Sabrina Franceschelli is expected to step into Clare-Kearney’s position in the all-around.Franceschelli said she looks forward to the opportunity to compete in the all-around.”I’ve always been that person where if someone is hurt, I’m the one who goes in,” Franceschelli said. “I’m just hoping that I can score high and do well in the meet.”Breaux also said she would like to see good performances out of senior Lauren Klein and junior Kayla Rogers.Klein, who has battled injuries all season, is projected to compete on the uneven bars. Rogers, who is a staple to the lineup on vault and the floor exercise, may compete in more events.Junior Susan Jackson, who garnered SEC Gymnast of the Week honors by posting a career-high 39.700 in the all-around against NC State, plans to compete in all four events tonight.Jackson said despite the high scores and honors last week, she is ready for Centenary.”I just plan to go out there and do what I know how to do,” Jackson said. The Tigers posted their second highest score of the season last weekend during their 197.150-195.725 victory against NC State.The Tigers are looking to post a high road score to boost their regional qualifying score, which determines postseason seeding, but are also attempting to get healthy before next weekend’s SEC championship meet in Nashville, Tenn.”We do need a good road score,” Jackson said. “But getting rested and healed [for the SEC meet] is more important.”Centenary on the other hand, has scored no higher than a 192.800 this season. That score is 1.375 lower than LSU’s lowest score of the season, a 194.175.Despite the large scoring differential this season, the Tigers are not looking past the Lady Gents.”We have to work so hard for Centenary,” Franceschelli said. “We can’t overlook that meet because it is a big road score for us.”——Contact Rob Landry at [email protected]
Gymnastics: Tigers to finish regular season at Centenary
March 11, 2009