ST. LOUIS — D.D. Breaux didn’t have a “target” score for her gymnastics squad in the NCAA semifinals.
But the Tigers’ 198.275 score, which was highest score ever by any team at an NCAA Championship, put LSU back into the Super Six.
“This is a marathon long competition compared to our dual meets and conference championships,” Breaux said. “We had to shift gears coming into this weekend. My objective is to let our best meet be tomorrow.”
It all started with the first rotation.
After sitting out the first rotation with a bye, the Tigers stepped on to the floor ready to compete for a spot in the Super Six.
Little did they know they would finish their first event setting an NCAA semifinal and LSU record 49.7125 score, setting the tone for the rest of the meet.
“Today we just let loose,” senior all-arounder Ashleigh Gnat said. “We were able to get out there and have a great time while doing gymnastics and that’s really important to our team. We talk about it all the time. Seeing it at nationals, it felt even better.”
What got the Tigers going in the meet?
Momentum, Gnat said.
“We say that momentum is dangerous drug and once you’re on it, you gotta keep going,” she said.
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LSU senior all-arounder Sydney Ewing performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Sydney Ewing performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU junior all-arounder Myia Hambrick performs her balance beam routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU sophomore all-arounder Sarah Finnegan during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Ashleigh Gnat performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ 1st place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU junior all-arounder Myia Hambrick performs her balance beam routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU sophomore all-arounder Sarah Finnegan during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU sophomore all-arounder Sarah Finnegan performs her balance beam routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU coach D-D Breaux smiles at her team’s performances during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU gymnastics team huddles during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Sydney Ewing vaults during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU junior all-arounder Erin Macadaeg performs her balance beam routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Ashleigh Gnat vaults during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU coach D-D Breaux smiles at her team’s performances during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU sophomore all-arounder McKenna Kelley during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU sophomore all-arounder Sarah Finnegan during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Shae Zamardi performs her uneven bars routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Ashleigh Gnat performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Ashleigh Gnat performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU junior all-arounder Erin Macadaeg performs her balance beam routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU sophomore all-arounder Lexie Priessman performs her uneven bars routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU gymnastics team huddles during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU junior all-arounder Myia Hambrick during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU junior all-arounder Erin Macadaeg performs her balance beam routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU sophomore all-arounder McKenna Kelley during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU sophomore all-arounder Sarah Finnegan vaults during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU sophomore all-arounder McKenna Kelley performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU junior all-arounder Myia Hambrick during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU freshman all-arounder Kennedi Edney hugs coach D-D- Breaux during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU junior all-arounder Myia Hambrick performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Ashleigh Gnat performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU sophomore all-arounder Sarah Finnegan during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Sydney Ewing performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Sydney Ewing performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU fans cheer during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU freshman all-arounder Ruby Harrold cheers after her vault pass during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU gymnastics team walks out in the opening ceremonies during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU sophomore all-arounder Sarah Finnegan during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Ashleigh Gnat celebrates after her balance beam routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Ashleigh Gnat performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Sydney Ewing performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ 1st place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Ashleigh Gnat performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Shae Zamardi performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Ashleigh Gnat meets with coach D-D Breaux after her balance beam routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU sophomore all-arounder Sarah Finnegan performs her balance beam routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Sydney Ewing performs her floor routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU freshman all-arounder Ruby Harrold performs her uneven bars routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU freshman all-arounder Kennedi Edney vaults during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU junior all-arounder Myia Hambrick during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU senior all-arounder Sydney Ewing cheers after her vault pass during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU freshman all-arounder Ruby Harrold talks with coach D-D Breaux during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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LSU sophomore all-arounder Sarah Finnegan performs her uneven bars routine during the Tigers’ first place win in the NCAA Semifinals Session II with a 198.275 team score to advance to the Super Six Championship on Friday, April 14, 2016 in the Chaifetz Arena, in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Stepping off the floor after posting a 9.9625 to celebrate with her team, Gnat knew that the Tigers were about to become unstoppable thanks to the “dangerous drug.”
After Gnat closed out the event, the Tigers knew the competition didn’t stop there.
“We knew we had to keep matching [the high scores],” she said. “You can’t just stop after one good event.”
One gymnast after the other posted high scores to keep the Tigers on a roll, but that’s exactly how they planned it to go.
“That’s how we train,” Breaux said. “This team has a lot of heart and that’s their mantra.”
Sophomores McKenna Kelley and Sarah Finnegan and junior Myia Hambrick all scored 9.95 on the floor in a row.
“It was just the entire culmination of the lineup that really made it what it was,” Gnat said.
On to the next event, freshman Kennedi Edney put the LSU fan section on their feet and posted a score of 9.9875 and crowned her a national champion.
With a total score of 49.5625, it was the team’s highest vault score at a national championship.
“Once we get going and are on fire, there’s no stopping us,” sophomore all-around Sarah Finnegan said.
Gnat added: “We know what our potential is. Every single girl posted a very high score and that was our potential.”
