LSU gymnastics defeats New Hampshire 197.875-195.300 for its senior tribute to close the regular season.
Seniors Ashleigh Gnat, Sydney Ewing and Shae Zamardi are finishing their careers on a high note with a perfect 28-0 record in the PMAC.
“It hasn’t sunk in that we’ve competed 28 times in the PMAC,” Ewing said. “It feels like our first meet was a week ago. Every single time running out of that tiger head, representing LSU meant the world to us. 28 wins, that’s incredible, just to be undefeated at home. It’s our house, we protect the house and I think it’s going to continue.”
Gnat said that her goal was to take everything in tonight, amid the rush of emotions all the seniors felt.
“It means so much to each of us,” Gnat said. “It has changed our lives forever and being able to be out there and wear LSU on our chests and do everything we can for this team I think that each one of us really has worked hard at doing what we can to help the team.”
LSU finishes its season with a 13-1 record, going undefeated in the Southeastern Conference.
The Tigers swept all four individual events and the all-around title in their win, with Gnat winning three of the individual titles.
Gnat scored a 9.95 on both beam and floor for the titles.
Ewing, Gnat and junior all-arounder Myia Hambrick shared the vault title with a score of 9.90, while Edney’s 9.95 captured the bars title.
Gnat also won the all-around with a 39.700, Hambrick following closely behind with a 39.625 to tie her career high.
Zamardi said the team hopes to continue “riding this wave” into the postseason.
“I want it really, really bad,” Ewing said. “I’m just so ready for the rest of this season, knowing that it’s our last shot doesn’t mean we have to try any harder, we’re ready to go and show everyone what we’ve been working so hard for because there’s no team in the country that’s working harder than us.”
LSU coach D-D Breaux said this had been the best senior class she has had in the 40 seasons as coach.
“They’re so passionate about LSU and they live the traditions,” Breaux said. “What you see out there on the floor, they have the same passion in practice. They’re so cohesive and they’re so honest with each other and with the coaching staff. They’re just extremely loving, I can’t say enough good things about them.”
The Tigers will compete in the SEC Championship on Saturday March 18 in Jacksonville, Florida.