Most people can’t walk across a balance beam, let alone jump and twist without stumbling.
Falls for gymnastics teams tend to be more prevalent on beam given the daunting task, and No. 14 LSU isn’t the only team posting its lowest scores on the apparatus.
Beam is the only event in which the Tigers have averaged less than a score of 49.00 for each of the last five years. LSU ranks No. 26 nationally on beam this season, with an average score of 48.281.
No. 1 Utah averages a score of 49.208 on beam and is the only team averaging more than a 49.20. Conversely, eight teams average more than 49.20 nationally on vault, including LSU, which ranks fifth, with a team average of 49.256. The Tigers have averaged at least a 49.00 on vault for the last five years.
“Vault is just the easiest because it’s the quickest, and I normally always land them,” said freshman Jessie Jordan. “I just need to work on straight legs, sticking, those sort of things.”
Jordan, who scored a 9.875 on vault Saturday against Georgia, also averages a 9.825 on beam and is the only Tiger averaging at least a 9.70 in the event.
LSU coach D-D Breaux said she didn’t recruit Jordan to increase the score of any particular event, although she looks at what the needs are on each apparatus.
“If we see somebody that’s particularly strong in an event, then we’ll take a special look at them,” Breaux said. “But the real bottom line is we’re looking for kids that are across the board, like [Jordan], just solid on all four events.”
If recent meets are any indication, the Tigers’ beam score could increase in coming weeks. After posting a 46.525 team score on the beam in the season-opening Cancun Classic, LSU has scored at least a 48.60 in the event in each of the last three meets.
Gymnast Ericka Garcia could also help raise LSU’s beam average. The junior, who has dealt with knee issues, tied a career-high with a 9.85 on beam against Georgia in her lone event.
“My confidence is pretty good right now,” Garcia said. “I feel great every time I go on beam and do my routine.”
Sophomores Maliah Mathis and Kaleigh Dickson and junior Shelby Prunty averaged three of the top four scores last season on beam, and all three have dealt with injuries this season.
Dickson missed one meet this season, Prunty missed two — including Saturday’s meet — and Mathis hasn’t competed on beam this year. Dickson and Prunty have combined for three scores of at least a 9.80 on beam this season.
“You need your people that have ice water running through their veins,” Breaux said. “Shelby had a fall last week, but performed the week before at that level, and has done so the past two years for us. That was a real loss, I think.”
Breaux said she’s excited to see what the injured gymnasts can achieve at full strength on beam, as well as in every event.
“I’m guardedly anxious, but I’m crazy with expectation and enthusiasm and excitement, for I think what this team is going to be able to achieve,” Breaux said.
 
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Contact Rowan Kavner at [email protected]