No. 2 LSU Gymnastics Takes Down George Washington with Season-High Score, 198.125-195.475
The No. 2 LSU Gymnastics team put on a dazzling performance in Baton Rouge, securing a dominant victory over George Washington with a season-high score of 198.125, outpacing the Colonials, who posted a score of 195.475. The meet was filled with standout performances from the Tigers, showcasing their depth, skill, and consistency across all four events, reaffirming their position as one of the top teams in the nation.
A Record-Setting Performance
The Tigers’ 198.125 was their highest score of the season, and it not only extended their impressive unbeaten streak but also demonstrated the immense talent that has helped LSU become a perennial powerhouse in NCAA gymnastics. This high score marks another step forward as LSU prepares for the postseason, showcasing their readiness to challenge for a national title.
Head coach Jay Clark’s squad delivered a near-perfect performance, with stellar routines across the board. The victory against George Washington was highlighted by explosive performances on vault, bars, beam, and floor. LSU has long been known for its dynamic, high-scoring routines, and this meet was no exception as the Tigers consistently delivered under pressure.
Vault: Strength in the Air
The Tigers started the meet strong on vault, a discipline where they have been dominant this season. LSU posted an outstanding score, led by senior standout Haleigh Bryant, who recorded a massive 9.975. Bryant’s vault, one of the most difficult in collegiate gymnastics, helped set the tone early. The Tigers’ overall vault rotation was impressive, with multiple gymnasts putting up near-perfect scores, including scores above 9.9, showing their depth in the event.
Uneven Bars: Consistency Shines Through
On the uneven bars, LSU continued to build on their strong start. The Tigers showed off their consistency and skill, led by another spectacular routine from freshman Alyona Shchennikova. Shchennikova, who has been a standout all season, delivered a routine that earned a score of 9.95, one of the highest of the meet. The team’s bar rotation was nearly flawless, with every gymnast showing excellent form and execution, contributing to a solid team total that helped LSU maintain their lead throughout the competition.
Balance Beam: Grace Under Pressure
Balance beam can often be a make-or-break event for teams, but LSU’s performance on this apparatus was nothing short of spectacular. Leading the charge was senior Kiya Johnson, whose routine was met with a 9.975, adding to her growing reputation as one of the nation’s top gymnasts. The Tigers’ beam rotation was clean, with minimal deductions and precise execution. Even under the intense spotlight, LSU’s gymnasts showed grace, strength, and control, extending their lead over George Washington in the third rotation.
Floor Exercise: A Grand Finale
To close out the meet, LSU delivered an unforgettable performance on floor exercise. As always, floor is an event that allows the gymnasts to show off their flair, personality, and explosive tumbling, and the Tigers did not disappoint. Senior Elena Arenas led the floor routine with a perfect 10.0 score, a fitting conclusion to a stellar meet. Arenas’ dynamic tumbling passes, coupled with her confidence and energy, thrilled the home crowd and sealed the victory for LSU. The entire floor rotation was high-energy, with multiple gymnasts earning scores above 9.9, allowing the Tigers to secure the commanding win.
Standout Performances Across the Board
While LSU’s victory was a team effort, there were several standout individual performances that helped secure the commanding win:
- Haleigh Bryant: Bryant’s performance was a major highlight, with her 9.975 on vault setting the tone for the meet and her strong presence across multiple events showing her importance to the team.
- Kiya Johnson: Johnson’s poised 9.975 on balance beam demonstrated her status as one of the top gymnasts in the country, and she contributed to LSU’s overall success with clean routines across the board.
- Alyona Shchennikova: The freshman sensation continued her strong campaign, earning a 9.95 on bars, showcasing the depth of LSU’s talent and how their younger gymnasts are already contributing at a high level.
- Elena Arenas: Arenas capped off the meet with a perfect 10.0 on floor, demonstrating her impeccable technique, confidence, and ability to perform under pressure.
Looking Ahead
With this dominant win, LSU moves forward with momentum as they approach the remainder of their schedule and the SEC Championships. The team has been on fire all season, and their high score against George Washington is a testament to the hard work they’ve put in. They will look to build on this momentum as they continue to push for a top seed in the postseason.
For George Washington, while the Tigers’ performance was a tall order, the Colonials showed resilience and heart throughout the meet. They continue to grow and will undoubtedly look to improve as they head into the latter part of their season. Though they fell short in this meet, their performance was commendable, and they can take valuable lessons from competing against one of the nation’s best programs.
Final Score Breakdown
- LSU: 198.125
- George Washington: 195.475
- Vault: LSU – 49.625, George Washington – 48.750
- Uneven Bars: LSU – 49.500, George Washington – 48.850
- Balance Beam: LSU – 49.375, George Washington – 48.725
- Floor Exercise: LSU – 49.625, George Washington – 49.150
This victory marks another successful meet for LSU as they continue their quest for a national title. The team’s performance highlighted their depth, consistency, and undeniable talent, leaving fans excited for what’s to come. With stars like Bryant, Johnson, Shchennikova, and Arenas leading the way, LSU is poised to remain a top contender in collegiate gymnastics for the remainder of the season.