Freshman gymnast April Burkholder is not your average freshman.
In only three regular season competitions, Burkholder has claimed the all-around title in two of them. An amazing feet considering she is the only freshman at LSU to earn the honor of competing in all four events.
Even more amazing, Burkholder won all four individual events along with taking the all-around title against Auburn.
When asked how many previous freshman have won all-around titles for LSU, head coach D-D Breaux looked up on her list of All-Americans hanging on the gym wall and could not remember. To say the least, it has been several years before LSU has even had a freshman compete in the all-around, let alone win it.
“It’s unique to have an outstanding all-arounder,” said Breaux, who recruited Burkholder upon seeing her “high degree of difficulty and competitive spirit.”
Burkholder said the closeness of the team brought her to LSU.
“They made me feel at home, and I felt the coaches worked really good together,” she said.
However, the LSU coaching staff was not able to get Burkholder right away. She had to enroll in extra classes after high school graduation in order to be eligible for college athletics. Burkholder said it was difficult not competing.
“I felt I was ready,” she said. “When they told me I was ineligible, I had to work so hard to get here.”
Burkholder said having to work so hard to be eligible made her really appreciate getting the chance to compete.
Even though she was a three-time national champion before entering college, she was not necessarily expecting to do so well.
“I didn’t know what the results would be,” Burkholder said. “I go out and try to hit four for four [events]. I want to keep progressing each competition.”
“She’s got what it takes to get 10s,” said Breaux, who hopes Burkholder can “have an academically successful year and a year without a lot of individual pressure.”
It could be hard for Burkholder to blow off increasing pressure, while continuing to remain one of the strengths of an extremely young and inexperienced team.
Burkholder said she takes a lot of time to mentally prepare and pray before each event.
“I try to stay focused and be behind my team at the same time,” said Burkholder. “If you can’t help yourself, you can’t help your team.”
There was nothing Burkholder could do to help the team last weekend. Although she came away with four individual wins and an all-around victory, the Tigers lost to Auburn in a meet that was in LSU’s hands until the final event, balance beam.
After finishing the most nerve-racking event with three falls, the lead was gone, and the Tigers left with a loss.
Breaux contributes the blunder to a lack of experience.
“They hadn’t ever competed on beam last,” she said. “I didn’t think I had to prepare them for that.”
The team hopes to redeem itself tonight in its first home meet of the season against the University of Denver at 7 p.m. in the PMAC.
There will be a number of promotional contests and giveaways, including a raffle to win a Volkswagen and free student housing for a semester.