Injury can slow down any athlete’s career.
Or, in the case of LSU freshman gymnast Nicole Butler, it can almost end one before it begins.
Prior to coming to LSU in the fall of 2003, the Virginia Beach native suffered a serious ankle injury on the uneven bars.
“I was in Boston at competition, and it was the practice session before the meet,” Butler said. “I fell from the top bar on the simplest thing in the world. When I came down I came down halfway on the mat and rolled [my ankle] and messed up all my ligaments.”
The injury limited her participation in gymnastics for much of the rest of the year.
“It just took a really long time to heal,” Butler said. “Sometimes it still hurts. I just keep taping it for precautionary reasons.”
LSU coach D-D Breaux said the injury has limited Butler’s performance this year for the Tigers.
“It’s taken her awhile to find her groove and to get her difficulty back,” Breaux said. “She’s still not at her highest level. She’s got better gymnastics in her.”
Butler’s gymnastics may be limited by injury problems, but there has been little to complain about lately. Since she began competing in three events at the Feb. 6 meet at Arkansas, Butler’s scores have steadily increased.
At the Feb. 23 tri-meet, Butler’s floor routine earned the freshman her first perfect 10. In Friday’s meet against Auburn, she notched career highs in the vault and bars, with scores of 9.975 and 9.850, respectively.
Butler said she was surprised when she saw her perfect 10 score displayed.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” Butler said. “I thought it was a good routine, but I didn’t realize I could get a 10. And bars, I tied my career high. I just need to work on getting my handstands more on top because that’s my main deduction.”
Butler’s improved performances have been a big factor in the Tigers’ rise in the national rankings. After falling to No. 20 following a meet at Florida Jan. 16, the Tigers have steadily risen through the rankings, and now sit at No. 4.
“She has given us some really high-level performances, performances that have stepped into our lineup and I think helped to make us a consistent high-level team,” Breaux said.
Butler joined gymnasts Kelly Phelan and Lisa Rennie to form a strong freshman class.
“They’ve been incredible,” said junior Jade Jenkins. “All three of them can go into the all-around in any meet. They add a lot to the team.”
Jenkins said Butler’s personality has also been a welcome addition to the team.
“Nicki is fun to be around,” Jenkins said. “She’s a crazy girl. I don’t think there’s anyone like her. She just has her own way of doing things. She’s just amazing in the gym and her talent is unlimited.”