In the history of the LSU football team, the Tigers have totaled 60 or more points four times.
It’s an impressive stat, but in order to match what the LSU gymnastics team is accomplishing, the Tigers would have to have racked up those team-high scores in one season.
And, of course, they would have to be in a row.
Last Friday against Auburn the LSU gymnasts racked up the second highest total in team history with a score of 197.525. The meet marked the fourth consecutive competition the Tigers have totaled at least 197. Coming into this season, LSU had just four 197 scores in team history.
Since the streak began, LSU has steadily risen through the national rankings, and now stands at No. 4 in the country.
A Top 5 ranking, however, has not changed the way the Tigers do business.
“Actually what we’ve been doing is basically the same since the beginning of the year,” said junior gymnast Jade Jenkins. “So it’s just us plugging away and keep getting a little better at each meet.”
LSU coach D-D Breaux said the team has maintained its focus during the run.
“We keep trying to focus on the little goals and doing the little things well, and not look at the national championships, not look at the Super Six or look at any of the big goals,” Breaux said.
The No. 4 ranking is the highest the team has achieved since March 16, 1999. LSU now trails only Alabama, Georgia, and No. 1 UCLA.
“I think we were a little bit surprised, but at the same time, it’s kind of like, why not us?” Jenkins said. “We’ve been working so hard since August, why shouldn’t we be up there? I think it’s something that we all deserve, and it was just a matter of time before our hard work was going to pay off.”
LSU will try to maintain that high ranking when Ohio State comes into the PMAC tonight at 7 p.m. The Buckeyes (7-5-1) finished third Saturday at a tri-meet behind West Virginia and Michigan State with a score of 194.800.
The Tigers will be led by a trio of nationally-ranked gymnasts. Sophomore April Burkholder is currently third in the all-around with a season total of 39.595. She is ranked second in the country on floor, fifth on vault and 12th on the beam.
Freshman Nicki Butler and junior Annie Gagnon also represent LSU in the national rankings. Butler is currently No. 12 on vault, while the All-American Gagnon is eighth on the bars.
Friday’s meet will also be Senior Night in the PMAC. Senior Lindsay Beddow will be honored for the Tigers.
“I’m excited,” Beddow said. “I can’t believe it’s here already. This year the meets have gone by so fast. Every meet it’s been like ‘this is my last first meet or my last away meet,’ and now it’s my last home meet.”