Up until 11:00 p.m. last Friday night, the LSU Tigers held the highest gymnastics team score in Nation at 197.400. Ten times the Tigers set new or matched existing career highs on various events during the meet– a rare event in collegiate gymnastics. Then, approximately 2,000 miles to the west, Utah put on a clinic of its own – scoring 197.525 in a sold-out home arena. So goes the weekly battle among the nation’s elite programs.
To be sure, the Tigers home meet against North Carolina and Illinois-Chicago was a thing of beauty. Fittingly, LSU took the opportunity to finally break through on the floor exercise. The first four Tigers on the floor broke their career highs on the event, helping the Purple and Gold to a season high 49.475 – which stands as the high score nationally going into week 9 of the season.
But it was the Tigers’ uneven bars team that set the tone for the night with a 49.500 – the highest team score on the event in six years. In short, LSU rocked the PMAC in the height of Mardi Gras season.
Staci Sticks It, Glo Glows
San Diego sophomore Staci Schwitkis continues to shine. In just her second shot at All Around, she had her best meet as a Tiger. Staci set career highs on beam (9.825) and floor (9.85) while tallying scores of 9.80 on vault and 9.875 on bars. That adds up to a 39.350 in the All Around.
Staci’s continued improvement in the practice gym and on the competition floor has given the LSU coaching staff the added confidence to place her in a key position on the team – that of third All Arounder – behind ACK and Susan Jackson. To compete in the NCAA’s, LSU will need the added depth that Schwitkis brings to each event. Watch her carefully on Friday night for another strong performance.
Freshman Gloria Johnson’s strong three-event outing was recognized by the SEC as the best for a freshman last week. Johnson was honored with her second Freshman of the Week award in a row. Glo, as she is known by her teammates, has truly come on strong in the last three weeks. Like Schwitkis, she could be a young difference maker in the stretch run of the season.
National Rankings
LSU was the biggest mover in the country this week (see the blog from earlier this week for an exact explanation how this came to be). The Tigers jumped four spots in the national point standing to check in at 6th. Here’s how it stacks up in the point standings after 8 weeks of competition along with how many spots each team has moved up or down in the rankings since last week.
1 Georgia 197.015 +1
2 Utah 196.885 -1
3 Stanford 196.590 +1
4 UCLA 196.340 -1
5 Auburn 196.260 0
6 LSU 196.250 +4
7 Florida 196.220 -1
8 Oregon State 196.215 +1
9 Arkansas 196.210 -2
10 Oklahoma 196.105 +1
11 Alabama 196.010 -3
12 Nebraska 195.465 0
13 Missouri 195.430 0
14 Michigan 195.345 +1
15 Illinois-Champaign 195.215 -1
16 Arizona 194.930 +3
17 Penn State 194.900 0
18 Minnesota 194.755 1st week w/RQS
19 Ohio State 194.725 -3
20 West Virginia 194.630 -2
21 Iowa 194.525 +2
22 Iowa State 194.500 +1
23 Michigan State 194.410 -1
24 Washington 194.330 0
25 Maryland 194.325 0
Here are the LSU Tigers who ranked in the nation’s Top 50 this week on each event: (rankings in the order of VT, UB, BB, FX, AA)
Clare-Kearney: 4th, 5th, 24th, 1st, 3rd (39.515)
Jackson: 12th, 13th, 11th, NR, 5th (39.410)
Scwitkis: 26th, 50th, NR, NR, NR 39.350
Johnson: 37th, NR, NR, NR, Not AA
Engle: NR, 38th, 50th, NR, Not AA
Klein Still Recuperating
Senior Lauren Klein, mainstay in last season’s line-ups, continues the long road back from a tough ankle injury suffered in the opening meet of this season. She has exhibitioned bars in the last few meets, but she continues to improve on the stamina and strength needed to return to the floor line-up. Though the rest of the Tigers have admirably stepped up to cover for her loss, Klein’s floor adds a “wow” factor that will be sorely missed come tournament time if she cannot return.
LSU Gymnastics Meets Facebook
Signup as a supporter of LSU Gymnastics on Facebook! You can help the Tigers achieve the most supporters of any gym team in the NCAA. Visit www.facebook.com and search LSU Gymnastics!
More LSU On Gymnastike.com
The new gymnastics-oriented website Gymnastike.com visited the PMAC last Friday and has quality interviews and meet action on its website. Visit www.gymnastike.com to learn more about what’s happening in the world of gymnastics today!
Friday’s Meet
First and foremost, let me say this. GET YOUR TICKETS for this one! I realize that you may be saying “this is Arkansas” and not Georgia, Alabama or Florida. But realize that Arkansas has established a very strong program in a very short amount of time and has beaten the likes of Oklahoma, Florida and Alabama this season.
The vast majority of scoring for the GymBacks comes from the quartet of Casey Jo Magee, Jaime Pasani, Michelle Stout, and Sarah Nagashima. Each competes in the All Around and each has the capability of scoring 9.90 or better on every event. Here’s how the Arkansas gymnasts rank in the Top 50 this week: (rankings in the order of VT, UB, BB, FX, AA)
Magee: 39th, 14th, 9th, 24th, 10th (39.335)
Pisani: 13th, NR, NR, 15th, 13th (39.275)
Stout: 15th, 18th, NR, 16th, 15th (39.250)
Nagashima: NR, NR, 38th, NR, 24th (39.100)
LaChance: NR, NR, NR, 36th, NR
Friday’s Probable LSU Line-Up
Vault
Kayla Rogers
Gloria Johnson
Staci Schwitkis
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Ashley Lee – alternate/exhibition
Uneven Bars
Staci Schwitkis
Summer Hubbard
Samantha Engle
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Lauren Klein – alternate/exhibition
Balance Beam
Gloria Johnson
Summer Hubbard
Sabrina Franceschelli
Staci Schwitkis
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Samantha Engle – alternate/exhibiton
Floor Exercise
Kayla Rogers
Summer Hubbard
Gloria Johnson
Staci Schwitkis
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
All Around
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Staci Schwitkis
Mike’s Eye On The Tigers
Here are a few things I will be looking for tonight against Arkansas:
• I know I said this last week, but the Tigers must keep the momentum that has built up and down the line-up. With this team, it seems that there’s no middle ground – either LSU is very, very good or not so much. Too much is riding on anything less than their best performace against a super Arkansas team.
• Arkansas freshman Jaime Pisani scored large last week at home against Georgia in the All Around. Can she repeat the performance on the road and pace the GymBacks their first-ever victory over LSU?
• The 2, 3 and 4 spots in the Tiger lineup to continue scoring high. 197’s are made in these spots in the line-ups.
• What kind of crowd shows up? Will it be a Mardi Gras type crowd from a week ago? Or the raucous type crowd from the Florida meet? You know, in football it’s said that the home team gets a three-point advantage in picking the games. In gymnastics, I believe the home mat advantage can be three-tenths throughout the meet.
• The highest home score of the year! (WOW, I pegged this one last week!) But back to reality, I expect this meet to be in the high 196 range for both squads. The team that sticks the most landings, hits the most handstands, and sparkles most on floor will win with a very high score. Sounds simple. But that’s what it boils down to this time of year. I like the Tigers to go 14-0 against Pig Sooie in a close one.
It’s the final regular season SEC meet for LSU and it’s a BIG one! Please make every effort to come out and enjoy it. These are two terrific teams and we expect nothing short of an SEC battle that you’ve come to expect from LSU/Georgia, Alabama and/or Florida over the years. It’ll be that good folks.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
D-D Breaux Interviews With Gymnastike.com
LSU Head Coach D-D Breaux sat down with gymnastics website Gymnastike.com in her office last Saturday morning (2/21/09) to talk about a wide range of topics. Here are three segments from the interview. Published here with permission of Gymnastike.com.
Part 1: D-D talks about the upcoming Arkansas meet and what lies ahead for the Tigers
Part 2: D-D talks at length about Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Part 3: D-D talks recruiting
Part 1: D-D talks about the upcoming Arkansas meet and what lies ahead for the Tigers
Part 2: D-D talks at length about Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Part 3: D-D talks recruiting
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tigers Leap In Point Standings, Gloria Johnson Honored
The LSU gymnastics team continued its mid-season surge with a huge point night last Friday against North Carolina and Illinois-Chicago. The Tigers scored a season-high 197.400 - the second highest team score in the country this season (Utah 197.525). As a result, LSU jumped 4 spots in the national point standings this week from 10th to 6th. LSU checks in just one-tenth of a point out of the top 5.
For her efforts in Friday's meet, LSU freshman sensation Gloria Johnson was honored as SEC Freshman of the Week for the second week in a row. Johnson competed in three events - vault, beam and floor - and won her first event title of her career by scoring 9.90 on vault. Johnson's 9.90 on floor was good enough to take third place in the event while her 9.80 on beam was good enough for fifth place.
So how exactly did the dramatic jump in the point standings occur? Let's break it down. As I explained in Friday's blog, the RQS system is now being used. Esentially, the RQS is comprised of a team's top 6 scores, three of which must be road scores. The highest of the six is dropped and the five remaining scores averaged to reveal the RQS. Each of the Division 1 gymnastics schools are then ranked from highest RQS (the #1 team) to lowest.
Entering Friday's meet, LSU carried the following scores for its RQS (in order of competition):
(road meet) Cancun Classic 194.900
(home meet) Georgia 195.950
(road meet) Kentucky 196.575
(road meet) Auburn 195.300
(home meet) Florida 196.800
(road meet) Alabama 196.625
The Florida score, being the highest, was dropped and remaining five averaged to get a week 7 RQS of 195.870. Now, with the new season high score from week 8, here are the scores that helped the Tigers reach an RQS o 196.250 and #6 in the country:
(home meet) Georgia 195.950
(road meet) Kentucky 196.575
(road meet) Auburn 195.300
(home meet) Florida 196.800
(road meet) Alabama 196.625
(home meet) UNC/UIC 197.400
The key difference? The difference between The Cancun Classic score and the Florida meet score is almost two full points, resulting in a nearly six-tenths rise in the average.
So why is this Friday's meet against Arkansas so important? Well, the Tigers' three road scores are locked into the RQS until the Centenary meet on March 13. So, the only way for LSU to continue its rise in the point standings (and enhance its post-season bid) is to beat one of the three home scores currently counted in the RQS.
For example, a 196.500 against Arkansas this Friday would increase LSU's RQS to 196.360 - which this week would've place the Tigers fourth in the country.
For her efforts in Friday's meet, LSU freshman sensation Gloria Johnson was honored as SEC Freshman of the Week for the second week in a row. Johnson competed in three events - vault, beam and floor - and won her first event title of her career by scoring 9.90 on vault. Johnson's 9.90 on floor was good enough to take third place in the event while her 9.80 on beam was good enough for fifth place.
So how exactly did the dramatic jump in the point standings occur? Let's break it down. As I explained in Friday's blog, the RQS system is now being used. Esentially, the RQS is comprised of a team's top 6 scores, three of which must be road scores. The highest of the six is dropped and the five remaining scores averaged to reveal the RQS. Each of the Division 1 gymnastics schools are then ranked from highest RQS (the #1 team) to lowest.
Entering Friday's meet, LSU carried the following scores for its RQS (in order of competition):
(road meet) Cancun Classic 194.900
(home meet) Georgia 195.950
(road meet) Kentucky 196.575
(road meet) Auburn 195.300
(home meet) Florida 196.800
(road meet) Alabama 196.625
The Florida score, being the highest, was dropped and remaining five averaged to get a week 7 RQS of 195.870. Now, with the new season high score from week 8, here are the scores that helped the Tigers reach an RQS o 196.250 and #6 in the country:
(home meet) Georgia 195.950
(road meet) Kentucky 196.575
(road meet) Auburn 195.300
(home meet) Florida 196.800
(road meet) Alabama 196.625
(home meet) UNC/UIC 197.400
The key difference? The difference between The Cancun Classic score and the Florida meet score is almost two full points, resulting in a nearly six-tenths rise in the average.
So why is this Friday's meet against Arkansas so important? Well, the Tigers' three road scores are locked into the RQS until the Centenary meet on March 13. So, the only way for LSU to continue its rise in the point standings (and enhance its post-season bid) is to beat one of the three home scores currently counted in the RQS.
For example, a 196.500 against Arkansas this Friday would increase LSU's RQS to 196.360 - which this week would've place the Tigers fourth in the country.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Meet Eight: North Carolina and Illinois-Chicago
The LSU Tigers gymnastics team is on the move – and at the right time of the season! After back-to-back impressive victories against Florida and Alabama, LSU steps out of SEC action tonight with a tri-meet against North Carolina and Illinois-Chicago inside the Maravich Center.
The Tigers were able to defeat the Gators and Crimson Tide with a true team effort that has been weeks in the making. This week’s point standings – both individual and team standings – reflect that effort. LSU is now getting point production from the middle of the lineup, something that plagued the Tigers in meets at Iowa and Auburn, for example.
Senior Ashleigh Clare-Kearney and junior Susan Jackson continue to pace the team. However, the emergence of consistent routines from sophomore Staci Schwitkis, freshman Gloria Johnson, and sophomore Sam Engle have been a welcome sight for head coach D-D Breaux. These gymnasts played the key role in scoring back-to-back season high team scores the past two weeks – and the two big SEC wins that go with it.
National Rankings
This week, the national rankings changed format as is the custom at this point in the gymnastics season. Instead of averaging all meets and counting that average towards the ranking, now the Regional Qualifying Score (or RQS) is used for the remainder of the season.
The RQS is comprised of the team’s top 6 scores to date, 3 of which must be road scores. The highest of these six scores is dropped and remaining 5 are averaged together to reveal the RQS.
This week, LSU’s RQS is 195.761, which is good enough for tenth in the nation. The Tigers are one-tenth of a point from ninth place Oregon State.
Utah, Georgia, UCLA, Stanford, and Auburn are the Top 5 this week. Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Oregon State, LSU are next 5 inside the Top 10.
By event, here’s how LSU ranks heading into week 7:
• Vault (49.240), 4th in nation (RQS increased, dropped one spot in rankings)
• Bars (48.985), 8th in nation (RQS increased, up 6 spots in rankings)
• Beam (48.915), 9th in nation (up 6 spots from last week, 15 spots in last three weeks)
• Floor (48.865), 15th in nation (RQS increased slightly, up 3 spots in rankings)
Individually, here’s how the Tigers rank:
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 2nd in nation on floor (9.895 RQS)
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 3rd in nation on vault (9.910 RQS)
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 6th in nation on bars (9.865 RQS)
• Susan Jackson, 11th in nation on vault (9.875 RQS)
• Susan Jackson, 12th in nation on beam (9.835 RQS)
• Susan Jackson, 16th in nation on bars (9.840 RQS)
• Staci Schwitkis, 20th in nation on vault (9.840 RQS)
• Samantha Engle, 23rd in nation on bars (9.825 RQS)
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 4th in nation in All Around (39.390 RQS)
• Susan Jackson, 5th in nation in All Around (39.370 RQS)
Tonight’s Meet
The Tigers welcome the Tar Heels of North Carolina and the Flames of Illinois-Chicago to the Maravich Center tonight. This is the start of a three meet home stand – the longest stretch of the season for LSU. This is the perfect time for LSU to continue the momentum of the last two weeks into what is now the heart of the season.
LSU met Carolina in the first meet of this season at the Cancun Classic. The Tar Heels scored 190.325 in that meet, but have steadily improved. UNC is ranked in the top 25 in two events – 24th on bars and 25th on beam. Junior Christine Nguyen is the team leader with season highs on vault (9.875), beam (9.90), floor (9.925) and the All Around (39.250). Junior Kara Wright leads the Tar Heels on bars with a 9.875 high score.
For the University of Illinois-Chicago, junior DeAvera Todd is the team leader in three events – vault (9.90), beam (9.875), and floor (9.80). Freshman Andrea Skala has the top All Around score for the Flames of 39.000.
Tonight’s Probable LSU Line-Up
Vault
Kayla Rogers
Gloria Johnson
Staci Schwitkis
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Ashley Lee – alternate/exhibition
Uneven Bars
Staci Schwitkis
Summer Hubbard
Samantha Engle
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Lauren Klein – alternate/exhibition
Balance Beam
Gloria Johnson
Summer Hubbard
Samantha Engle
Staci Schwitkis
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Samantha Engle – alternate/exhibiton
Floor Exercise
Kayla Rogers
Summer Hubbard
Gloria Johnson
Staci Schwitkis
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
All Around
Staci Schwitkis
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Mike’s Eye On The Tigers
Here are a few things I will be looking for tonight against North Carolina and Illinois-Chicago:
• Keeping the momentum that has built up and down the lineup. As a team, the Tigers are performing the best all season right now. This must continue towards the post-season.
• Staci Schwitkis back in the All Around and in the important number four spot in the beam lineup. Can she help keep the Tigers rolling on this event where they’ve improved 15 spots in the rankings in the last three weeks? It's the second All Around appearance of her career.
• Senior Lauren Klein continuing her long trek back from a season-opening ankle injury. Watch for her on bars again this evening.
• After reaching 100 titles, does ACK have a letdown meet or is she priming for the stretch run? We’ll have a look at that tonight.
• The highest home score of the year! LSU needs a new home season high score to help increase the Tigers’ RQS. Any score above 196.800 will allow the current home high (vs. Florida) to count toward the RQS. The higher the RQS, the better the post-season seeding for LSU.
It’s a big night on campus and across the Baton Rouge area. The annual Southdowns Mardi Gras parade rolls tonight and the new Alex Box Stadium has its big opening night. But the hottest action will be in the Maravich Center at 7pm when our 10th ranked Gym Tigers take to the floor! Come on out and see us!
The Tigers were able to defeat the Gators and Crimson Tide with a true team effort that has been weeks in the making. This week’s point standings – both individual and team standings – reflect that effort. LSU is now getting point production from the middle of the lineup, something that plagued the Tigers in meets at Iowa and Auburn, for example.
Senior Ashleigh Clare-Kearney and junior Susan Jackson continue to pace the team. However, the emergence of consistent routines from sophomore Staci Schwitkis, freshman Gloria Johnson, and sophomore Sam Engle have been a welcome sight for head coach D-D Breaux. These gymnasts played the key role in scoring back-to-back season high team scores the past two weeks – and the two big SEC wins that go with it.
National Rankings
This week, the national rankings changed format as is the custom at this point in the gymnastics season. Instead of averaging all meets and counting that average towards the ranking, now the Regional Qualifying Score (or RQS) is used for the remainder of the season.
The RQS is comprised of the team’s top 6 scores to date, 3 of which must be road scores. The highest of these six scores is dropped and remaining 5 are averaged together to reveal the RQS.
This week, LSU’s RQS is 195.761, which is good enough for tenth in the nation. The Tigers are one-tenth of a point from ninth place Oregon State.
Utah, Georgia, UCLA, Stanford, and Auburn are the Top 5 this week. Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Oregon State, LSU are next 5 inside the Top 10.
By event, here’s how LSU ranks heading into week 7:
• Vault (49.240), 4th in nation (RQS increased, dropped one spot in rankings)
• Bars (48.985), 8th in nation (RQS increased, up 6 spots in rankings)
• Beam (48.915), 9th in nation (up 6 spots from last week, 15 spots in last three weeks)
• Floor (48.865), 15th in nation (RQS increased slightly, up 3 spots in rankings)
Individually, here’s how the Tigers rank:
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 2nd in nation on floor (9.895 RQS)
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 3rd in nation on vault (9.910 RQS)
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 6th in nation on bars (9.865 RQS)
• Susan Jackson, 11th in nation on vault (9.875 RQS)
• Susan Jackson, 12th in nation on beam (9.835 RQS)
• Susan Jackson, 16th in nation on bars (9.840 RQS)
• Staci Schwitkis, 20th in nation on vault (9.840 RQS)
• Samantha Engle, 23rd in nation on bars (9.825 RQS)
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 4th in nation in All Around (39.390 RQS)
• Susan Jackson, 5th in nation in All Around (39.370 RQS)
Tonight’s Meet
The Tigers welcome the Tar Heels of North Carolina and the Flames of Illinois-Chicago to the Maravich Center tonight. This is the start of a three meet home stand – the longest stretch of the season for LSU. This is the perfect time for LSU to continue the momentum of the last two weeks into what is now the heart of the season.
LSU met Carolina in the first meet of this season at the Cancun Classic. The Tar Heels scored 190.325 in that meet, but have steadily improved. UNC is ranked in the top 25 in two events – 24th on bars and 25th on beam. Junior Christine Nguyen is the team leader with season highs on vault (9.875), beam (9.90), floor (9.925) and the All Around (39.250). Junior Kara Wright leads the Tar Heels on bars with a 9.875 high score.
For the University of Illinois-Chicago, junior DeAvera Todd is the team leader in three events – vault (9.90), beam (9.875), and floor (9.80). Freshman Andrea Skala has the top All Around score for the Flames of 39.000.
Tonight’s Probable LSU Line-Up
Vault
Kayla Rogers
Gloria Johnson
Staci Schwitkis
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Ashley Lee – alternate/exhibition
Uneven Bars
Staci Schwitkis
Summer Hubbard
Samantha Engle
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Lauren Klein – alternate/exhibition
Balance Beam
Gloria Johnson
Summer Hubbard
Samantha Engle
Staci Schwitkis
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Samantha Engle – alternate/exhibiton
Floor Exercise
Kayla Rogers
Summer Hubbard
Gloria Johnson
Staci Schwitkis
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
All Around
Staci Schwitkis
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Mike’s Eye On The Tigers
Here are a few things I will be looking for tonight against North Carolina and Illinois-Chicago:
• Keeping the momentum that has built up and down the lineup. As a team, the Tigers are performing the best all season right now. This must continue towards the post-season.
• Staci Schwitkis back in the All Around and in the important number four spot in the beam lineup. Can she help keep the Tigers rolling on this event where they’ve improved 15 spots in the rankings in the last three weeks? It's the second All Around appearance of her career.
• Senior Lauren Klein continuing her long trek back from a season-opening ankle injury. Watch for her on bars again this evening.
• After reaching 100 titles, does ACK have a letdown meet or is she priming for the stretch run? We’ll have a look at that tonight.
• The highest home score of the year! LSU needs a new home season high score to help increase the Tigers’ RQS. Any score above 196.800 will allow the current home high (vs. Florida) to count toward the RQS. The higher the RQS, the better the post-season seeding for LSU.
It’s a big night on campus and across the Baton Rouge area. The annual Southdowns Mardi Gras parade rolls tonight and the new Alex Box Stadium has its big opening night. But the hottest action will be in the Maravich Center at 7pm when our 10th ranked Gym Tigers take to the floor! Come on out and see us!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Good News Rolls In After Victory Over Tide
Two exciting pieces of news out the LSU Tigers Gymnastics program today!
- Gloria Johnson has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week for her performance against Alabama last Friday night.
- Cox Sports Television announced today that it has secured the rights to re-broadcast the LSU/Alabama gym meet from last week. The meet will air this Thursday at 9:00 p.m. Central Time on cable systems that carry Cox Sports Television. In Baton Rouge, that's Channel 37.
Comcast/CSS originally aired the meet in its markets, mostly in Alabama. Kudos to the LSU Athletic Department and Cox for making this historic meet available to most Tiger fans!
The LSU win at Alabama was the second in the program's history - and first since 1976. It was the first win for LSU head coach D-D Breaux on the Capstone in her career - the only remaining SEC arena where she had never won a dual meet.
In her first competition inside Coleman Coliseum, Johnson scored a career high 9.825 on balance beam in her lead-off spot for the Tigers. This score was fourth best in the meet. Johnson also scored 9.825 on vault - good for fifth place in the meet - for the fifth time this season. She led off the floor exercise for the Tigers - competing in the event for only the second time this season. Her score of 9.775 helped LSU to its second 49 or better team score on the event this season.
- Gloria Johnson has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week for her performance against Alabama last Friday night.
- Cox Sports Television announced today that it has secured the rights to re-broadcast the LSU/Alabama gym meet from last week. The meet will air this Thursday at 9:00 p.m. Central Time on cable systems that carry Cox Sports Television. In Baton Rouge, that's Channel 37.
Comcast/CSS originally aired the meet in its markets, mostly in Alabama. Kudos to the LSU Athletic Department and Cox for making this historic meet available to most Tiger fans!
The LSU win at Alabama was the second in the program's history - and first since 1976. It was the first win for LSU head coach D-D Breaux on the Capstone in her career - the only remaining SEC arena where she had never won a dual meet.
In her first competition inside Coleman Coliseum, Johnson scored a career high 9.825 on balance beam in her lead-off spot for the Tigers. This score was fourth best in the meet. Johnson also scored 9.825 on vault - good for fifth place in the meet - for the fifth time this season. She led off the floor exercise for the Tigers - competing in the event for only the second time this season. Her score of 9.775 helped LSU to its second 49 or better team score on the event this season.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Tigers Win At Alabama
For the first time in Head Coach D-D Breaux's career, the LSU Tigers defeat Alabama at Coleman Coliseum by the score of 196.625 to 195.750. Ashleigh Clare-Kearney wins three event titles (vault, floor, All Around) to give her an incredible 100 for her career.
Meet Seven: Alabama
The new attitude that surrounded the LSU gymnastics team last week was a breath of fresh air for the Tigers. After a great week of training in the gym, LSU came out strong against the Florida Gators on Friday evening and posted a season high 196.800 team score in what became a runaway win. Ashleigh Clare-Kearney once again led the way for the Tigers. The senior posted a personal season high in the All Around competition of 39.625 – after battling bronchitis in the days leading up to the meet, no less.
For her efforts, ACK was awarded SEC Gymnast of the Week honors. This is the sixth time in her career she has received the award, and first this season.
But the real difference maker in the meet was the crowd in the Maravich Center. The roar of the Tiger pride in the final rotation was especially motivational to the team. The volume reached its peak when ACK stuck a 9.975 on the floor exercise to slam the door on any Gator comeback.
The PMAC is a special building. But it’s the people inside wearing the colors of champions that makes it a truly special venue.
National Rankings
The LSU Tigers (195.617) held steady at #11 in the national point standings this week. And for the second consecutive week, Utah (196.730) claimed the top spot with UCLA remaining second (196.480) after the Bruins cancelled meet at Stanford. Georgia (196.475) held at third followed by Stanford at fourth. Alabama moved up 4 spots this week and checks in at #5, while Auburn, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Florida and Oregon State round out the top ten.
By event, here’s how LSU ranks heading into week 7:
• Vault (49.221), 3rd in nation (average decreased slightly, ranking remains same)
• Floor (48.767), 18th in nation (average decreased slightly, ranking remains same)
• Bars (48.908), 13th in nation (average increased, ranking remains same)
• Beam (48.721), 15th in nation (up 1 spot from last week, 9 spots in last two weeks)
Individually, here’s how the Tigers rank:
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 3rd in nation on vault (9.912 avg.)
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 6th in nation on floor (9.883 avg.)
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 6th in nation on bars (9.875 avg.)
• Susan Jackson, 8th in nation on vault (9.887 avg.)
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 9th in nation in All Around (39.625 avg.)
• Susan Jackson, 14th in nation in All Around (39.271 avg.)
Tonight’s Meet
Like LSU, Alabama posted its season high score last week at home against a good Denver team. With the 197.025 team score, the Tide rose from ninth to fifth in the standings. Alabama accomplished this without the services of their senior leader Brittany Magee. Magee tore her ACL in practice on January 28.
Junior Ricki Lebegern has stepped up for the Tide. She is ranked 12th nationally in the All Around and posted her season high of 39.425 last week as well.
Balance beam is the Crimson Tide’s strongest event by far. They are ranked #1 in the Nation on the event and, interestingly enough, are led by true freshmen Ashley Priess and Geralen Stack-Eaton. They rank 10th and 11th, respectively, on the event nationally. Juniors Kassi Price and Ricki Lebegern join the freshmen in the top 20 nationally on the beam, ranking 13 and 20, respectively.
Alabama expects another tremendous crowd in Coleman Coliseum tonight. Just as the LSU crowd helped the Tigers last week, expect the Tide to feed off the houndstooth-clad crazies. The Alabama marketing folks have a slew of prime giveaways tonight including a plasma TV, XBOX360, a $1000 scholarship to a student, a $250 book scholarship and seven $100 gas cards. Disney movie DVD’s will also be handed out to the kids in attendance. All in all, expect an over-the-top gymnastics experience on the Capstone tonight.
Tonight’s Probable LSU Line-Up
Vault
Kayla Rogers
Gloria Johnson
Staci Schwitkis
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Uneven Bars
Staci Schwitkis
Summer Hubbard
Samantha Engle
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Lauren Klein – alternate/exhibition
Balance Beam
Gloria Johnson
Summer Hubbard
Samantha Engle
Staci Schwitkis or Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Floor Exercise
Kayla Rogers
Summer Hubbard
Gloria Johnson
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
All Around
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Mike’s Eye On The Tigers
Here are a few things I will be looking for tonight against Alabama:
• The Tigers regained their focus last week. Can they keep it?
• A hot start for LSU. Bars and vault are two strong events for the Tigers. Can we go into beam with a team point lead?
• Will LSU react positively or negatively to the carnival-like atmosphere in the arena?
• ACK inching ever-so-close to 100 career titles, a feat that will put her in the stratosphere of collegiate gymnasts.
• The highest road score of the year to help in the national point standings. So far, that honor goes to the Kentucky meet (196.575). The Tigers from last week can better this mark.
Tonight’s meet is available free-of-charge in the Geaux Zone beginning at 7:30 pm Central Time. Join Jewell, Tina and myself on the broadcast from Tuscaloosa!
Until next week, GEAUX TIGERS!
Mike
For her efforts, ACK was awarded SEC Gymnast of the Week honors. This is the sixth time in her career she has received the award, and first this season.
But the real difference maker in the meet was the crowd in the Maravich Center. The roar of the Tiger pride in the final rotation was especially motivational to the team. The volume reached its peak when ACK stuck a 9.975 on the floor exercise to slam the door on any Gator comeback.
The PMAC is a special building. But it’s the people inside wearing the colors of champions that makes it a truly special venue.
National Rankings
The LSU Tigers (195.617) held steady at #11 in the national point standings this week. And for the second consecutive week, Utah (196.730) claimed the top spot with UCLA remaining second (196.480) after the Bruins cancelled meet at Stanford. Georgia (196.475) held at third followed by Stanford at fourth. Alabama moved up 4 spots this week and checks in at #5, while Auburn, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Florida and Oregon State round out the top ten.
By event, here’s how LSU ranks heading into week 7:
• Vault (49.221), 3rd in nation (average decreased slightly, ranking remains same)
• Floor (48.767), 18th in nation (average decreased slightly, ranking remains same)
• Bars (48.908), 13th in nation (average increased, ranking remains same)
• Beam (48.721), 15th in nation (up 1 spot from last week, 9 spots in last two weeks)
Individually, here’s how the Tigers rank:
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 3rd in nation on vault (9.912 avg.)
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 6th in nation on floor (9.883 avg.)
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 6th in nation on bars (9.875 avg.)
• Susan Jackson, 8th in nation on vault (9.887 avg.)
• Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 9th in nation in All Around (39.625 avg.)
• Susan Jackson, 14th in nation in All Around (39.271 avg.)
Tonight’s Meet
Like LSU, Alabama posted its season high score last week at home against a good Denver team. With the 197.025 team score, the Tide rose from ninth to fifth in the standings. Alabama accomplished this without the services of their senior leader Brittany Magee. Magee tore her ACL in practice on January 28.
Junior Ricki Lebegern has stepped up for the Tide. She is ranked 12th nationally in the All Around and posted her season high of 39.425 last week as well.
Balance beam is the Crimson Tide’s strongest event by far. They are ranked #1 in the Nation on the event and, interestingly enough, are led by true freshmen Ashley Priess and Geralen Stack-Eaton. They rank 10th and 11th, respectively, on the event nationally. Juniors Kassi Price and Ricki Lebegern join the freshmen in the top 20 nationally on the beam, ranking 13 and 20, respectively.
Alabama expects another tremendous crowd in Coleman Coliseum tonight. Just as the LSU crowd helped the Tigers last week, expect the Tide to feed off the houndstooth-clad crazies. The Alabama marketing folks have a slew of prime giveaways tonight including a plasma TV, XBOX360, a $1000 scholarship to a student, a $250 book scholarship and seven $100 gas cards. Disney movie DVD’s will also be handed out to the kids in attendance. All in all, expect an over-the-top gymnastics experience on the Capstone tonight.
Tonight’s Probable LSU Line-Up
Vault
Kayla Rogers
Gloria Johnson
Staci Schwitkis
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Uneven Bars
Staci Schwitkis
Summer Hubbard
Samantha Engle
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Lauren Klein – alternate/exhibition
Balance Beam
Gloria Johnson
Summer Hubbard
Samantha Engle
Staci Schwitkis or Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Floor Exercise
Kayla Rogers
Summer Hubbard
Gloria Johnson
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
All Around
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Mike’s Eye On The Tigers
Here are a few things I will be looking for tonight against Alabama:
• The Tigers regained their focus last week. Can they keep it?
• A hot start for LSU. Bars and vault are two strong events for the Tigers. Can we go into beam with a team point lead?
• Will LSU react positively or negatively to the carnival-like atmosphere in the arena?
• ACK inching ever-so-close to 100 career titles, a feat that will put her in the stratosphere of collegiate gymnasts.
• The highest road score of the year to help in the national point standings. So far, that honor goes to the Kentucky meet (196.575). The Tigers from last week can better this mark.
Tonight’s meet is available free-of-charge in the Geaux Zone beginning at 7:30 pm Central Time. Join Jewell, Tina and myself on the broadcast from Tuscaloosa!
Until next week, GEAUX TIGERS!
Mike
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Special Update!
LSU senior gymnast Ashleigh Clare-Kearney has been named Southeastern Conference Gymnast o the Week. This is the sixth time in her career she has received the award - first this season. ACK recorded a season-high 39.625 in the All Around against Florida last Friday night. She now has 97 career individual event titles to her name. She will be going for an amazing 100 on Friday night when the Tigers take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Meet Six: Florida
There was good news and bad news for the LSU Tigers gymnastics team in the wake of last week’s meet at Auburn.
First, the not-so-good news. By their own admission, members of the LSU team described their performance against the SEC rival as “terrible.” Though the meet was close at the midway point, LSU scored a lackluster 49.150 on vault in rotation 2 – not the kind of score we’ve come to expect from one of the nation’s top vaulting groups.
It was a slippery slope from that point. Rotation 3 took LSU to the floor exercise and the wheels, literally, came off the Tigers’ bandwagon. The team counted a fall towards a season-low 48.225 team score on the event. Instead of performing with championship confidence, the Tigers seemed to slide into protectionist mode – just trying not to make a mistake (which violates a cardinal rule of gymnastics).
Now for the good news! The LSU beam and bars teams posted their second-highest team scores of the season (48.900 and 49.025, respectively) at Auburn. Because of these scores, the Tigers slid only one notch, to No. 11, in the national point standings heading into tonight’s meet against No. 8 Florida.
Tonight’s meet marks the start of the second half of the 2009 gymnastics season. Six regular season meets remain on the schedule and four of them are in the Maravich Center. Now is the time for the LSU Tigers to make their move.
What will it take? LSU must summon the enthusiasm from the Cancun meet, the intensity of the Georgia meet and hit the scores of the Kentucky meet. This is a VERY capable team that has championship potential. The Tigers must roll it all together into one complete package. Tonight would be a great time to do it.
National Rankings
The LSU Tigers (195.380) dropped one spot to #11 in the national point standings this week. For the first time this season, an SEC team is not at No. 1. Utah (196.700) claimed the top spot this week with UCLA second (196.480). Georgia and Arkansas are tied at third with identical 196.320 averages. The Auburn Tigers reached their highest ranking ever this week, fifth. Florida and Alabama check in at No. 8 and No. 9, respectively, in the rankings this week.
By event, here’s how LSU ranks heading into week 6 – the half-way point – of the season:
Vault (49.235), third in the nation (average decreased slightly, slipped one spot from last week)
Floor (48.735), 18th in the nation (average decreased slightly, slipped spots from last week)
Bars (48.605), 13th in the nation (up 1 spot from last week, 5 spots in last two weeks)
Beam (48.605), 16th in the nation (up 1 spot from last week, 8 spots in last two weeks)
Individually, here’s how the Tigers rank:
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, No. 1 in the nation on vault (9.920 avg.)
Susan Jackson, 8th in the nation on vault (9.885 avg.)
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 8th in the nation on bars (9.870 avg.)
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 12th in the nation in the all-around (39.285 avg.)
Susan Jackson, 19th in the nation in the all-around (39.235 avg.)
Tonight’s Meet
Just like LSU, the Florida Gators gymnastics team is full of question marks headed into tonight’s meet in the Maravich Center. Three weeks ago, the Gainesville Gators were atop the point standings and looked to be locked-in. However, the last two weeks the Gators have scored less than 196.000, which has dropped them seven spots in the points rankings.
Two weeks ago the Gators were upset by emerging power Arkansas. In that meet, the Gators fell three times on balance beam – astonishing in that Florida had not counted a fall on beam since early last season. Last week, the Gators struggled again on beam against Kentucky but were strong enough on bars and vault to slam the door on the Gym Kats.
Florida is led by Melanie Sinclair and Corey Hartung – two gymnasts to watch closely tonight. Why? Sinclair is coming off a perfect 10 on bars last week – her third of her career. She’s red hot on the event and leads the Gators to a No. 1 national ranking this week on bars. She’s No. 6 in the all-around.
Hartung, a senior, is the heart and soul of the Gators team. She’s a three-time All-American on beam and won the beam title last week. Perhaps a sign that Florida is turning things around on that apparatus.
All-American Amanda Castillo continues to be missed from Florida’s vault and floor lineups due to injury. Normally an amazing beam worker, Castillo has fallen on the event three straight weeks after opening the season with a 9.90 against Oklahoma.
Tonight’s Probable LSU Lineup
Vault
Kayla Rogers
Gloria Johnson
Staci Schwitkis
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Uneven Bars
Staci Schwitkis
Summer Hubbard
Samantha Engle
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Balance Beam
Gloria Johnson
Summer Hubbard
Samantha Engle
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Floor Exercise
Kayla Rogers
Summer Hubbard
Samantha Engle
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
All-Around
Sabrina Franceschelli
Susan Jackson
Ashleigh Clare-Kearney
Mike’s Eye On The Tigers
Here are a few things I will be looking for tonight against Florida:
- For the Tigers to rekindle the enthusiasm of the Cancun meet, the intensity of the Georgia meet and the scores of the Kentucky meet.
- Tonight’s first rotation! It should be as good as it gets as the No. 1 bars team goes against the No. 3 vault team. No better way to get a gym meet started!
- The balance beam for both teams. Could be where the meet is decided - with LSU having an advantage due to its consistency the last three weeks on the event.
- Will ACK add to her 95 career event titles – inching even closer to the century mark? Would be sweet to see her do it in front of a large home crowd.
- Sophomore Sam Engle for LSU. Has battled minor injuries and will be called upon to be a rock in three events for the Tigers tonight. She could be a difference maker.
- For LSU to hit 196.000 or better as a team score tonight. This is only the second home meet of the season – and LSU could use a high score before the ranking criteria are changed in two weeks.
Video of tonight’s meet is available to members of the Geaux Zone beginning at 7 p.m. But please buy a ticket and come out to the Maravich Center to see this meet. It’s gonna be a great one!
Until next week, GEAUX TIGERS!
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