Friday Night. Packed PMAC. LSU vs. Florida. Olympians. An elite SEC Opener.
In front of the third-largest crowd in program history, it came down to the last routine. Luckily for LSU, Aleah Finnegan and Haleigh Bryant came in clutch to sum up LSU’s 4th win of the season.
It’s been a strange start to the year for LSU Gymnastics. While they’ve had the greatest start in program history, injuries are everywhere, including the Tiger’s superstar, Haleigh Bryant, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, leaving her unable to participate in the all-around.
Despite her injury, she was able to compete on an impressive level, scoring 9.95 on balance beam and 9.90 on floor. Always focused on giving everything she’s got for her teammates.
“Whatever this team needs me to do, I’m gonna be willing to step up whenever my body is ready,” Bryant said.
During the first three rotations, LSU led Florida with a certain level of comfort that would disappear in the last rotation. The first four gymnasts for Florida had great scores, with only one of them scoring less than a 9.9. Meanwhile, LSU best score was a 9.875 made by Olivia Dunne. Suddenly, Florida was leading the meet for the first time.
Both teams had their strongest competitors to finish off. Haleigh Bryant and Aleah Finnegan against Selena Harris-Miranda and two time Alternate for the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team, Leanne Wong.
An impressive 9.95 by Finnegan followed by a 9.9 made by Bryant defeated Florida’s gymnast that combined lost two decimals against LSU’s strongest duo.
Finnegan has stepped up since Bryant’s injury, starting the season as the second-best gymnast in the nation, just behind Florida’s Leanne Wong.
“She is just absolutely amazing, she is one of my best friends. Just watching her shine, seeing how she is grown as a leader vocally, she is being leading by example as well. Just the way she goes around her business is so cool and just such an inspiration to everyone that just watches her. So she’s been an amazing leader for this team, and I’m just so proud of her,” Bryant commented on Aleah Finnegan.
Tonight’s meet being so close wasn’t a surprise. Competing against Florida is always one of the toughest challenges for the Tigers.
“Seems like the Florida meet always come down to one tenth, one tenth and a half no matter whether it is here or in Gainesville,” head coach Jay Clark said.
LSU Gym continues progressing, summing up great scores. Despite little mistakes, the Tigers managed to get out with a win. Their next meet will be against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
