TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 8 ranked LSU Gymnastics team picked up a road victory at Alabama for the first time since 2019 on Friday night, defeating the Crimson Tide, 197.975-197.925.
The Tigers were able to put up their second highest score of the season thanks to perfect tens by both Haleigh Bryant and Aleah Finnegan. The 10 was Finnegan’s fourth straight in as many meets, making her the only LSU gymnast to record such an accomplishment.
LSU started the meet off on bars, scoring a 49.175 for the event. The first rotation saw Olivia Dunne make her first appearance of the year for the Tigers as she scored a 9.825. Bryant scored a 9.925 and Tori Tatum scored a 9.875.
The Tigers put up a 49.675 on vault, which is tied for the second highest score in program history for both the event itself and in competition on the road. Chase Brock scored a career high 9.975 and Bryce Wilson, making her first career appearance in the event, scored a 9.875. Elena Arenas added a 9.925 and Finnegan scored a 9.900. This was all in addition to Bryant’s perfect ten, which was the seventh of her career, all earned on vault.
LSU then went to the beam, where it recorded a 49.550. Alexis Jefferey scored a 9.900 in her first career performance in the event. Sierra Ballard had a career high score of a 9.925 and Bryant had a 9.900. Finnegan also added a 9.975 as the Tigers moved into the final rotation.
The Tigers closed out the meet on floor, scoring a 49.575, in part thanks to Finnegan’s perfect score. The 10 was her second on floor and fourth of her career. Brock once again recorded a career high in the meet with a 9.925 in the event. Jeffrey made her first career appearance on floor, scoring a 9.750. Bryant added a 9.975 as LSU walked away with a narrow victory on the road.
Bryant’s performance was once again good enough to earn her the All-Around title for the meet with a score of 39.800. It is the highest All-Around score of her career and makes her the fifth gymnast with a 39.800 for the All-Around event.
The Tigers next competition will be on Friday, March 3, in the Podium Challenge in the Raising Cane’s River Center at 6 p.m. CT.
(Per LSU Press Release)
