The No. 2 LSU gymnastics will put its 22-game home winning streak on the line against Texas Woman’s University Friday.
Although it isn’t a top-ten meet, the Tigers are approaching the matchup with the same competitive mindset.
“There’s definitely some motivation. There always is going to be,” senior all-arounder Ashleigh “Bugs” Gnat said. “No matter who we’re facing, our score is going to go to our overall score. It’s very important that we remain consistent in our mindset and continue to do the things we’ve been practicing.”
LSU has faced top-10 teams its past two meets — then-No. 9 Georgia (1-1, 1-1 SEC) and No. 4 Alabama (0-2, 0-1 SEC).
Freshman all-arounder Kennedi Edney described the win over Alabama as “good.”
“It was a different environment for me,” Edney said. “But it didn’t shake me up too much. It felt like a normal meet.”
For the meet against TWU, gymnasts like Edney and sophomore bars anchor Lexie Priessman are still looking to find spots in all four events.
“I work for that everyday,” Priessman said. “Whoever is in it, we totally trust them, and we’re happy for them.”
Associate Head Coach Jay Clark described Priessman as a very powerful and talented member of the LSU gymnastics team.
Priessman scored a 9.90 on vault and bars against Alabama on Jan. 13.
“Lexie is one of the most talented athletes this country has ever seen,” Clark said. “Without injury, she would have been right there in the conversation with Simone Biles. She [Priessman] did a very similar skill level.”
During Priessman’s freshman year she suffered a foot injury and missed four meets.
Clark emphasized that the team is showing signs of maturity early in the season.
“What’s impressive to me is the mindset this team has and the approach they’ve taken so far,” Clark said. “Nothing seems to really get in their heads or change their approach at all, and that’s a mark of a mature team.”
Coach D-D Breaux and Clark discussed putting newer gymnasts in the upcoming meet. The two coaches also want to use as many gymnasts as possible to help others rest.
“It is something that we’ve talked about, trying to mix some things up,” Clark said. “[It’s] not because of the opponent, but because the best shot we have in April is to be as fresh-legged as we can possibly be. What we don’t want to do is walk into the PMAC and not be at our best. Every time we set foot on the floor, we’re competing against every team in the country.”