Seven graduate students, four seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen.
This is what LSU’s gymnastics roster looks like for the 2024 season.
Within LSU’s 22-man roster, 11 are seniors and graduate students, leaving little to no room for inexperienced gymnasts in the lineup. However, freshmen Konnor McClain and Amari Drayton made their names known within LSU’s team of veterans very quickly.
McClain and Drayton both saw the mat their first-time wearing purple and gold.
McClain has been nothing but a star gymnast for the Tigers. Within her first six meets, she managed to score a perfect 10 on beam, along with a season-high score of 9.925 on floor. Most recently, she added another 10 to her resume against Missouri.
Earlier in the meet, McClain took a hard hit when she fell off of the uneven bars, something that she’s consistent in scoring a 9.850 or higher.
But she didn’t let that stop her.
She redeemed herself on floor, scoring a 9.875 and then nailed a perfect score on beam.
“You got to let freshman be freshman… you got to allow for mistakes,” head coach Jay Clark said after LSU’s loss against Missouri. “If that’s as bad as it gets with freshmen, we’re in good shape.”
McClain has made a name for herself, not just within Baton Rouge, but on a national level as well. She is a five-time USA National Team Member, as well as a 2021 World Team Member.
In addition to being a solid, consistent gymnast for LSU, her young-natured presence within the team brings a new personality that LSU didn’t have before.
Recently, McClain purchased a plush toy that is now a part of the team. It does its own routines on the sidelines and travels with the team to all meets.
“Konnor’s unique,” Clark said after he found out that the toy did a floor routine of its own on the side.
Since McClain’s debut as a Tiger, she’s also taken on roles outside of the gym. She was recently signed by injury lawyer Gorden McKernan as a “Get Gorden Athlete,” allowing her to take part in NIL partnerships, via KRON4.
Drayton is another young spirit that helped the Tigers climb to No. 5 in national ranking, but her story started long before she became a Tiger.
The 5-foot-1 freshman out of Spring, Texas, competed in the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Missouri and is a two-time U.S. National Team member, so she’s no stranger to the big stage.
Drayton started her season as a Tiger with a debut in the PMAC, surrounded by a 12,023-person crowd, but nothing seemed to phase her as she scored a 9.925 on her first vault pass in purple and gold.
With career highs of 9.925 on vault and floor, Drayton became a consistent member of the Tigers’ lineups, and it’s possible she’ll be found in the uneven bars lineup sooner rather than later.
“I’m hopeful that Amari Drayton can do bars in an exhibition spot this weekend,” Clark said.
Olivia “Livvy” Dunne may also be seen doing exhibition routines.
Without their two star-freshmen, the Tigers wouldn’t have had their current level of success, as Drayton and McClain have combined to score a total of over 175 points.
Since a large group of seniors and graduate students are leaving the team next year, McClain and Drayton, along with the other underclassmen, give the Tigers hope that their positive legacy will be continued, possibly along with a few championships.
