The LSU gymnastics team scored its season-low team score against No. 3 Alabama, who scored its season-high team score Friday night, when the Crimson Tide rolled over the Tigers 197.400-193.800 in Tuscaloosa.
The Tigers competed without freshman standout April Burkholder, leaving a hole in each competition because Burkholder is an all-around competitor. Therefore, the Tigers needed a replacement for each of the four events.
On the vault, freshman Brittany Brown placed third with a career-high 9.875. Freshman Terin Martinjak came in for Burkholder and received a 9.775, earning her sixth place in the event.
All-American Jeana Rice led Alabama on the vault with a 9.950.
Senior Brooke Cazeaux entered the bar lineup for the first time this season and finished in a tie for fourth place with teammates Lindsay Beddow and Rikki L’Heureux, scoring a 9.850. Alabama’s lead grew on the rotation when freshman Kelly Lea and sophomore Katherine Hilton both took falls on the apparatus scoring 9.125 and 9.275, respectively.
The balance beam was no better for the Tigers after four gymnasts took falls on the event forcing LSU to count three low scores. LSU posted its lowest team beam score of the season despite a pair of 9.800s by freshman Megan Durning and sophomore Jade Jenkins.
However, Alabama posted four scores on the beam of 9.850 or better.
Lauren Companioni received the highest score for the Tigers on the floor exercise with a 9.900 while Alabama posted two 9.95s on the floor with performances by Shannon Hrozek and Michelle Reeser, a Monroe native.
“We need to learn how to compete under pressure,” said Chelsea Richard who competed on the floor exercise for the Tigers. “[Alabama] had a competitive edge on us that we could see clearly that night.”