While the LSU Tigers are an undesirable 1-2 overall and 0-2 in SEC meets, the Tigers have the chance to add a W to their record and turn their season around.
This weekend the Tigers are headed to Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to face the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide as the Tigers chase a much-needed victory.
LSU is coming off of a controversial 197.425-197.475 loss to the Florida Gators last Friday in the PMAC. It was the first time the Tigers lost a home meet since 2013.
Even with an upsetting loss, the Tigers had some slivers of hope last week as senior all-arounder Sarah Finnegan continued to shine for the Tigers, winning the all-around title and earning her second title of SEC Gymnast of the Week. The Tigers also got to keep their No. 5 place in the rankings.
On the other side, the Crimson Tide is going into this meet following a huge win over the Georgia Gymdogs last weeked. The Tide defeated the Gymdogs 196.900-196.875 in Stegeman Coliseum, one of the toughest places to compete in college gymnastics.
The Crimson Tide is led by senior Ariana Guerra. Guerra was named SEC Specialist of the Week after her performance last weekend against the Gymdogs. Guerra earned this title as her scores pushed the Tide to a season best team score.
The Tigers are determined to look ahead, focus on the meets to come and do what they do best — winning.
“We have the same goals, the same intentions and the same mindset [as we had before the loss],” sophomore all-arounder Sarah Edwards said. “We want a national championship. We’re not letting this get us distracted from our main focus.”
While it will be a tough challenge for the Tigers, they are confident that they will continue to grow as a team and get better each meet.
“We do intrasquads and we score ourselves,” Finnegan said. “We know where we’re at, where we can be and we know how to get there. It’s just a matter of putting it all together when it really matters.”
A victory over long time SEC West rival Alabama is always the goal for the Tigers, but a good outcome for LSU is sorely needed to bolster morale and put the Tigers’ season back on track.
The Tigers and Crimson Tide face off Friday, Jan. 25 in Coleman Coliseum at 8 p.m. on the SEC Network.
