The wake-up call came quickly Friday night.
After the No. 24 LSU gymnastics team (2-5) posted a season-low 48.750 on vault against BYU (8-2-2), the Tigers rallied to post three straight season-high scores in bars, beam and vault and a season-high final team score in a 195.875-193.750 stomping against the Cougars.
“We’re seeing breakthrough performances,” said LSU coach D-D Breaux. “We’re seeing kids all of a sudden be able to get those 9.80s. We sat here three weeks ago, and we were looking at 9.60s.”
It was the first time since Feb. 20, 2009, that LSU’s worst performance of a meet was on vault. Breaux attributed the low score to resting the Tiger gymnasts a little extra this week.
“I really think I did the right thing in giving them a light, light week, because their bodies were really tired,” she said.
The subpar score didn’t transfer to the Tigers’ next event.
LSU posted a 49.00 on bars as five of the six LSU gymnasts tied or set season highs. Freshman Sarie Morrison capped the event with the first 9.90 of the season for any LSU gymnast.
“The warmup for me started a little slow, and then once everyone started hitting their routines, I started getting more pumped up,” Morrison said. “When I stuck my dismount, I just knew it was the best routine I’d done so far.”
Four Tigers posted a 9.80 or higher on beam en route to a 48.975 in the event. Sophomore Ericka Garcia tied her career high with a 9.85, and freshman Maliah Mathis posted a career-high 9.80, but Mathis wasn’t done.
She continued her stellar night in LSU’s final apparatus, posting the Tigers’ first 9.925 of the season on floor.
“Once the adrenaline hits me, I just go,” Mathis said. “The last pass, I just tried to control it.”
LSU’s previous team-high score of the season on floor was a 48.725. The Tigers posted a 49.150 against BYU.
“Our kids stepped up. They worked the presentation and they worked those intangibles,” Breaux said. “How their body looks and how they present themselves is part of the judgment, and I think the kids are beginning to see that.”
Senior Sam Engle and freshman Sarah Zoldos competed only on bars again this week as both nursed ankle injuries. Breaux said Engle likely could have competed on beam and will do so this week at practice.
Those Tiger fans unable to make the trip to the PMAC on Friday night may have heard a familiar voice on television. Former Tiger gymnast Susan Jackson broadcast the game on CST.
 
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