Perfection is the next step for the No. 2 LSU gymnastics team.
LSU (10-1, 7-0 Southeastern Conference) finished its SEC schedule undefeated by beating Alabama, 197.350-197.225, on Feb. 26, but LSU gymnastics coach D-D Breaux said the team still hasn’t had the perfect meet.
The Tigers will work toward the goal of perfection in their final home meet of the season on senior night against No. 16 Minnesota at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the PMAC.
“We’ve held ourselves at a high standard all season,” said senior all-arounder Rheagan Courville, who will be honored during senior night. “We don’t plan on backing down yet. We have a lot more to do this season. We’re just going to work on getting better, fixing our little details and perfecting every little thing we need to bring us into the postseason.”
The Golden Gophers (8-5, 2-4 Big 10) are outmatched as they travel to Baton Rouge. LSU is ranked in the top six on every event, while Minnesota’s highest ranking is on floor at No. 14. And LSU’s RQS score of 197.485 dwarfs Minnesota’s 196.010.
But Breaux didn’t discount the Gophers’ chance to knock off the second-ranked Tigers. Junior Lindsay Mable, the nation’s best all-arounder who boasts an RQS score of 39.585, leads Minnesota into the meet.
Breaux said the key to victory this week is consistency, a concept LSU has not had a firm grasp on this season.
“We’re constantly repeating the message, ‘consistency wins,’” Breaux said.
LSU has been remarkably inconsistent in the last month. LSU blew out its competition in two home victories with high scores of 198.075 and 197.950, but injuries to two of the nation’s top-four all-arounders derailed its chances to keep up the big scoring.
Auburn and Alabama nearly knocked off LSU after it lost senior all-arounder Jessie Jordan against Auburn and Courville in the last two rotations against Alabama.
Despite the near-defeats, Breaux was impressed with her team’s resilience and ability to overcome the loss of two perennial All-Americans.
Breaux said winning close meets will help the team overcome any obstacles it will face in the SEC Championships on March 21 and NCAA Championships on April 17-19.
“We’re making some little mistakes along the way, but what team doesn’t?” Breaux said. “This team has rallied and answered every battle cry we have sent out. They have roared up the hill and planted their flag. We’re just very confident as to how they conduct themselves and how they compete.”
Although LSU has been inconsistent, it won the battle of perception. Breaux said teams know they have to bring their “A-game” every time they compete against the Tigers, whether it’s at the PMAC or on the road.
“I remember when I first got here, LSU was known as the sleeper team,” said senior all-arounder Lloimincia Hall. “Now, LSU is the threat. It’s amazing to see how different teams look at us now.”