LSU Gymnasts earned multiple SEC honors following a third place finish at the 2026 SEC Championships.
The eight Tigers who have earned a spot on the 2026 All-SEC list include Lexi Zeiss, Victoria Roberts, Konnor McClain, Kaliya Lincoln, Emily Innes, Kylie Coen, Kailin Chio, and Nina Ballou.
Sophomore, Kailin Chio was named SEC Gymnast of the Year following a monumental performance at the 2026 SEC Championships where she took the titles in both Floor and the All-Around.
Chio adds Gymnast of the Year to her collection of 14 total SEC awards, five of which happened this season alone.
The sophomore recently earned the nickname “Ch10” after earning a total of nine perfect tens in the 2026 season alone. Three of them alone come from the Tigers home meet finale against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Making her the first gymnast to earn a perfect 30 on three events.
Chio also broke the LSU record previously held by former Gymnast turned coach Haleigh Byrant in 2024 for the most perfect tens in a season.
With the departing of senior leaders the previous season, Chio stepped into the role of one of the team’s Captain roles this season. Making her performance on the mat just as perfect as her performances off the mat.
Sophomore teammate Kaliya Lincoln also claimed the title of SEC Specialist of the Year after her performance, also competing at the SEC Championships. Lincoln was a key standout on the floor lineup for LSU as she earned a 9.925 season high against the No. 1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners.
Lincoln this season, also earned her first event title on vault with a 9.925 previously against the No. 9 Missouri Tigers.
Kailin Chio, Kaliya Lincoln, and the Tumbling Tigers will take on the NCAA Second Round, Thursday, April 2nd at 7 p.m. CT against No. 15 Clemson, Auburn and the winner of the first round between Air Force and Nebraska on Wednesday, April 1 in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
The top two teams placing in Saturday’s regional final will receive an automatic ticket to the NCAA National Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, April 16-18 in Dickies Arena.
