The LSU gymnastics team proved more than ever just how dangerous it was during the 2026 season.
While the team has continued to be a threat as it’s worked its way to the national stage under head coach Jay Clark, the question now is: what’s next?
For Tiger fans, the answer is positive. With seven seniors graduating, only three routines will be lost.
This includes Emily Innes on floor, while Courtney Blackson and Ashley Cowan will be missing over on bars. Aside from them, appearances from those like Alexis Jefferey or Kathryn Weilbacher will be filled in by those like Zoe Miller or Elyse Wenner.
The idea that 87.5% of all 24 of LSU’s routines will be returning next season sets that bar high in another NCAA championship title fight.
“I think we have 21 or 22 of 24 routines returning,” Clark said. “I hope that just cements their resolve and that they don’t wear [the national second place finish] in a way that is defeating. It should cause them to be more determined and not desperate.”
When looking at who will be returning to the floor, names like Kailin Chio, Amari Drayton, Kaliya Lincoln or Konnor McClain stand out on top. Still, the Tigers are known for a very diverse lineup in which any gymnast can be counted on.
Those like Haley Mustari and Victoria Roberts are quickly making their own marks in the competition lineups, both seeing appearances throughout the season on bars and vault, respectively.
Denver transfer Madison Ulrich has shown added depth with her consistency on bars and dependency on all other events. Knowing that the soon-to-be senior will be making her return to the PMAC gives fans even more to look forward to.
In terms of consistency, names like Lexi Zeiss, Kylie Coen and Nina Ballou all ring a bell. Each of these Tigers find themselves early in the lineups, but have been imperative when it comes to setting the tone early. Having them back on the team for another season will only grow LSU’s championship hopes.
“A lot of our depth isn’t going anywhere, so that’s really great to know,” Chio said. “People who are incoming, I’m just excited for them to come in and join this team and continue building what we left this year. Just in hopes of getting it done next year.”
When it comes to the transfer portal and incoming freshmen, the notoriety of a second-place finish at the national championship, behind a season-long No. 2 ranking, will only help LSU continue to pull in high-ranked talent.
While little news has been confirmed about new faces in the Tiger program, commitments from those like Hezly Rivera and Josie Lynch just give a glimpse into the next generation of competitors. Even more so, the given history we saw with Ulrich and Innes this season only tells us that the 2027 portal class will bring even more muscle to the team.
It’s clear that LSU is on the path of upholding a standard of national excellence and being recognized as one of the nation’s top programs. The 2027 season is sure to be just as, if not more, exciting than 2026 with what’s set to come.
“I promise you, that team [Oklahoma] that’s won eight of the last 12, yes, they’re the gold standard,” Clark said. “But, they also know who we are, and we’re not going away. We got a great group coming back, and we fully expect to be right back in the mix and take another swing at this thing next year.”
