LSU gymnastics won the Fayetteville regional final with a score of 198.250, advancing to the semifinals in Fort Worth, Texas.
The meet was dominated by Haleigh Bryant’s perfect routines. The senior added two more 10s to her resume, increasing her new perfect-score total to 18.
“I told [Haleigh], ‘I love you and I’m so glad that you’re on our team,’” head coach Jay Clark said. “She’s just tremendous … She’s the most humble, team-oriented kid.”
No. 2 LSU proved that it was capable of posting big numbers under high pressure. At this point in the season, any meet could be the Tigers’ last, but LSU is prolonging that reality for as long as possible.
“We’re so determined to put our heads down and work every single day,” Bryant said. “Everybody’s on the same page and wants the same thing.”
Once again, the Tigers were close to perfection on the floor, as all gymnasts scored 9.90 and higher.
Konnor McClain and Amari Drayton started the Tigers off with two 9.90s. KJ Johnson continued to deliver for LSU, scoring a 9.925. Aleah Finnegan followed with a 9.950, setting up Bryant to post a 9.925. Kiya Johnson anchored with a 9.925.
The Tigers entered the second half of the meet in first place with 99.075 points. No. 10 Arkansas moved to second with 98.825. No. 7 Kentucky remained in third with 98.725, and No. 15 Minnesota trailed with 98.675.
The Tigers kept their momentum rolling into the second half of the meet, as Bryant anchored with another 10 on vault.
KJ Johnson stuck the landing on her Yurchenko full, scoring a 9.925. Finnegan scored a 9.850 and Drayton followed with a 9.875. Kiya Johnson posted a 9.90 before Bryant’s 17th career 10.
The Tigers entered the final rotation with a score of 148.625. Arkansas followed with 148.350, then Kentucky with 148.20. Minnesota trailed with 148.175.
The Tigers finished the night on uneven bars, where Bryant posted her second 10 of the night.
Ashley Cowan got things started for LSU, scoring a 9.90. Kiya Johnson followed with a 9.925 and McClain posted a 9.950.
Savannah Schoenherr preceded Bryant’s 10 with a 9.850, securing the Tigers’ spot in Fort Worth.
The Tigers started the meet with as much determination as they finished it with.
Although the balance beam is notorious for being LSU’s Achilles’ heel, the Tigers dominated, ending the first rotation in the lead.
Schoenherr led the Tigers off, scoring a 9.825. McClain started a rally, scoring the first 9.950 of the event. Kiya Johnson followed with a 9.850. Bryant posted a 9.925 and Finnegan anchored with a 9.90.
LSU ended the first rotation with a score of 49.450. Minnesota followed with 49.425, then Kentucky with 49.40 and Arkansas trailed with 49.375.
The Razorbacks will advance with the Tigers to the semifinals in Fort Worth, where they’ll be joined by Oklahoma and Alabama.
Berkeley and Gainesville’s regional finals conclude April 7, where four more teams will advance to the semifinals.
Although LSU’s squad has proven its talent and skill level time and time again, the Tigers will face the toughest competition yet in Fort Worth, Texas.
The winner will come down to who can execute the little things, but LSU has as good of a chance as anyone to bring home a trophy.
