There was certainly tension in the waters on Friday as the No. 7 Florida Gators faced the No. 2 LSU Tigers. The PMAC was packed with 13,550 fans hoping that LSU gymnastics would protect its crown and add to their two-meet winning streak.

​​“It seems like the Florida meet always comes down to a tenth or a tenth-and-a-half, no matter whether it’s here or in Gainesville,” head coach Jay Clark said. “I mean, that’s a great team over there. We knew they would come in here and perform well, they always do, and just proud of the team’s fight tonight.”

The first rotation started shakey for both teams. LSU freshman Lexi Zeiss led on vault with a 9.775 and Florida’s leadoff Sloane Blakely fell on the uneven bars, giving them an early disadvantage. Aleah Finnegan was right behind with an impeccable score of 9.950.

Finnegan, an NCAA national champion and Olympian, has continued to make her impact on this team only three meets into the season. Upon introduction, she received one of the loudest responses from fans, a representation of what she means to the community.

Chase Brock returned on vault and scored a 9.825, followed by Kaliya Lincoln with a 9.725 and Amari Drayton at a 9.875.

After her impressive score of 9.950 on vault last week, freshman standout Kailin Chio anchored for LSU, scoring a 9.925.

In the first rotation, LSU gained a total of 49.350 and a safety net of 0.325, but the next event would prove troubling for the Tigers.

On bars, Zeiss scored a 9.825, Ashley Cowan matched her score and Alexis Jeffrey debuted with a 9.900.

Chio took the fourth spot but had an early mishap in her routine and chose to bail. Clark mentioned Chio spent the days prior recovering from an illness, unsure into Friday morning whether she would go.

“You don’t have to be perfect all the time,” Clark said. “The pressure is not on her to carry us all the time as a freshman and I think she needs to understand that.”

Chio went again, sticking the landing for a 9.225.

Finnegan’s 9.825 and a 9.925 from McClain ended the rotation strong.

The second rotation wrapped up with LSU at 98.650 and Florida at 98.475. LSU’s advantage narrowed to 0.175 as they approached the balance beam.

The LSU gymnastics team gives a cheer Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, during the annual Gymnastics 101 Exhibition in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on LSU’s campus. (Francis Dinh)

Ballard scored a 9.875 to start, which was then matched by Kylie Coen.

The rotation finished strong, Chio executed a redeeming 9.925, McClain followed with a 9.900, then Bryant flirted with perfection, scoring 9.995.

Finnegan’s 9.775 set the Tigers at a score of 148.175 entering the final rotation.

Ballard led off on floor with a 9.825. Olivia Dunne made her debut for her first and only event of the meet, scoring a 9.875.

Dunne’s lack of participation was due to issues regarding her knees.

“Her kneecap kind of tracks a little funny when she’s doing a turning leap,” Clark said.

He explained that because Dunne is hyperflexible, the bottom of her kneecap can be easily irritated, emphasizing that Dunne participating in only one event was a precaution to ensure she got the rest she needed.

Drayton followed Dunne, earning 9.750, then Chio scored a 9.825, followed by Finnegan with a 9.950.

In an unexpected turn of events, with the meet on the line, Bryant returned to the floor.

With her recent preseason injury to her elbow, Bryant was only able to compete on the balance beam. However, Clark said that after testing her abilities earlier this week, they had high hopes for tonight.

Bryant delivered a 9.900, putting LSU at 197.550, beating Florida by only a tenth of a point.

​​​​“We had 13 different gymnasts out there tonight, which I think is a big deal, even in the absence of some key people still that have not come back,” Clark said. “We just need to improve the way we’re preparing a little bit so that that can carry over into the competition a little more.”

The Tigers take on No. 17 Arkansas in Fayetteville next weekend.