Arnstad’s return lifts squad past No. 20 Iowa
The No. 10 LSU gymnastics team received its second-highest all-around marks of the season Friday in a 196.725-194.825 victory over No. 20 Iowa in the PMAC.
LSU head coach D-D Breaux said she was satisfied with the performance but was disappointed the team had to count a fall.
“It’s a good score,” Breaux said. “It’s a score that will count, a score that will make a difference in our average. Hopefully, it will help us in the rankings. That’s what we’re trying to do, climb to be within striking distance of one of those top six spots.”
Breaux said this meet helped the team’s drive heading into next weekend’s meet at No. 1 Georgia.
“We were very lackluster last weekend,” she said. “We needed to come in and get some intensity, get some momentum going. We have to focus on our next away meet and be able to put together an away performance.”
Nikki Arnstad, who competed for the first time since injuring her ankle two weeks ago, received a 9.775 on vault and a 9.850 on balance beam.
“I think that getting her in there and having her be successful was a big step in getting her completely ready,” Breaux said. “We’re in a position right now where we’ve got some depth, and we don’t have to push our injuries too hard.”
After the first event, the Tigers had a comfortable 49.200-48.375 lead, which Breaux said helped relax them for the rest of the routines.
LSU’s 49.200 was the highest score of the season in vault.
Shanyn MacEachern received the highest vault score of 9.900, followed by Marina Degteva with a 9.850.
The Tigers then competed on uneven bars while the Hawkeyes went to the vault.
On bars, LSU had to count Kristin Uranski’s fall, but received a 9.900 from Sharene Mamby on the way to a 48.850.
“We had to count a fall,” Breaux said. “That’s disappointing. I did not want to have to count a fall. I wanted to at least get five hits in every discipline.”
The Tigers then moved on to the beam where they received their highest score of the night and their highest beam score of the season, 49.375.
All five LSU gymnasts – Lauren Companioni, Lindsay Beddow, Jade Jenkins, Beth Boudreaux and Rebecca Lightsey – tied for first place on beam with scores of 9.875.
In the final routine of floor exercise, LSU scored a 49.300 led by Campanioni’s 9.925 and Boudreaux’s 9.900.
The Tigers will play host again Friday night at 7 p.m. when the No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats come to the PMAC.
Ronnie Richard