Head Coach D-D Breaux begins her 33rd year of coaching the Tigers tonight. With 562 wins to her credit, not only is she the longest serving Head Coach in LSU history, she is on a very short list of coaches with over 30 years of tenure at any school – in any sport. This summer Coach Breaux was elected to the Region 8 Gymnastics Hall of Fame, an honor that is well deserved.
LSU carries a #6 pre-season ranking into tonight’s meet, which is the highest pre-season ranking the Tigers have received since 1989 – the year rankings were first published.
But much has happened within the program during the off-season, and in the days leading up to tonight’s meet, to cause that lofty ranking to be called into question, even by the coach herself. In recent days, the Tigers have suffered two significant injuries to gymnasts who were to be counted on to score this year. And, the international superstar who was finally cleared to attend LSU is sitting on the sidelines for the first several weeks of the season.
However, as gymnastics fans know, rankings don’t mean much at this point in the season. It’s down the stretch run, during the months of March and April, that the Tigers must find their top form.
In the meantime, as D-D put it this week ”We’re hoping to take good lemons and make good lemonade.” I think this will definitely be the case for the first few meets this season.
Senior Leadership Will Make The Difference In 2010
LSU returns four NCAA All-Americans from last year’s Super Six squad. Sabrina Franceschelli, Summer Hubbard, Susan Jackson and Kayla Rogers are seniors this year, and the success of this year’s squad rests squarely upon their collective shoulders.
Susan Jackson won the National Championship in the vault in 2008 and finished runner-up to 2009 Champion and teammate Ashley Clare-Kearney last season. Event for event, Susan is among the elite collegiate gymnasts and has rightfully inherited the mantle of “flagship” gymnast of this LSU team from Clare-Kearney.
There are few, if any, weaknesses in her routines. As she would readily admit, miscues, when they happen, are almost never physical. Focus and mental toughness will be key for her this season. Remaining sharp and injury free after four years of collegiate gymnastics should result in another set of podium appearances for Susan Jackson at this year’s NCAA Championships. When and if that happens, she will assume her place among the greatest athletes in LSU history.
Sabrina Franceschelli was one of the Tigers most consistent performers in 2009. She finished second on the team last season on both bars and beam. In the final 5 meets of the season, she posted 4 scores of 9.80 or better including a pair of 9.85’s in the NCAA Championships.
As the team’s number two all-arounder coming into 2010, Sabrina will be counted on to score at the highest level of her career to date. Look for her to become a key player in the team’s success as the season progresses.
Summer Hubbard enters her final season as a Tiger in brand new territory – that of all-around gymnast. A first team All American on bars the past two seasons, Hubbard enters 2010 with the Tigers relying on her in all 4 events. In her first three years at LSU, Summer has worked mostly bars, beam and, last season, added floor exercise.
Her vault will continue to grow in difficulty throughout the season. The Tigers will count her to do so as her vault score will be integral to the vault team’s success this season.
Kayla Rogers, in my opinion, is one of the most important gymnasts on this year’s team. Last season, she led off vault and floor for the Tigers in every meet. She was extremely consistent over the course of the season, suffering falls only once per event all season. She has 9.90 or better ability on those events each meet.
If Kayla can help the Tigers with solid bars and beam scores, when needed, this season, it will go a long way towards helping LSU reach the post season for the 26th year in a row.
Others Who Can Deliver Important Scores For LSU
Along with Summber Hubbard, Sam Engle is one of the best bars workers in the nation. For the Tigers to make a successful run this year, it will be critical for Sam to compete at a high level on both the beam and floor – 9.85 or better each time out on both events.
One of the 5 scoring positions on vault this season should go to sophomore Ashley Lee. She has worked hard over the off-season to develop this, her mainstay event. If she can be consistent throughout the season, her vault score should provide a “safety valve” for the vault team, when needed.
Nikki Lyons makes her return to the Tigers lineup for the first time in two seasons. Out all of last season with a stubborn broken ankle, this redshirt sophomore should make a strong return on vault and beam for LSU. As she returns to form and stays injury-free in 2010, expect her to be worked into the bars lineup as well.
It’s A Fresh-man World
LSU has 5 members of the 2010 freshman class, and what an important class it is. Over the course of this season, don’t be surprised if a freshman is called up to deliver a counting score in each event of each meet. But which new gymnasts will survive the rigors of a collegiate season?
Kaleigh Dickson (Oldmar, Florida) suffered a freak knee accident that required surgery this past week. She chipped a bone in her knee that required a screw to repair it. Conservatively out for 8 to 9 weeks, expect to see Kaleigh redshirt this season.
Lainie Fleming (Glendale, California) was expected to compete for a spot in the bars lineup this season. However, a broken wrist has sidelined her for several weeks.
Ericka Garcia (Mexico City, Mexico) is an international elite gymnast who is expected to make a major impact in each event lineup. However, due to an NCAA ruling, she will not be able to compete until the middle of this season.
The remaining freshmen, Janelle Garcia and Shelby Prunty will take time to develop during the season. Garcia is coming off an injury that limited her gymnastics during her final year of high school.
Tonight’s Meet
LSU is 5-0 against Maryland over the years. These teams last competed against each other in 2003, with the Terps last visit to Baton Rouge coming in 1989.
While the meet begins one coach’s 33rd season, it also marks the first-ever for Maryland coach Brett Nelligan. He takes over for his father, Bob, who coached the Terrapins for over 30 years. Maryland will also debut 5 new gymnasts tonight. However, Maryland is a senior-laden club (6) and returns 11 letter winners from last season’s team which earned a berth in an NCAA Regional meet.
One of the new Maryland gymnasts is junior Jennifer Iovino who left Alabama to return to her home state. This will be her first meet since transferring. Look for freshman Kesley Cofsky to compete well for the Terrapins tonight as well.
There are all sorts of great promotions tonight in the Maravich Center. Yes, it will be cold outside, but inside, Tiger Concessions will give away free hot chocolate at tonight’s meet. Also, the first 500 fans get a free Tiger T-shirt. The LSU Cheerleaders and the Tiger Girls will showcase their national championship routines tonight as well.
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Mike’s Eye On The Tigers
Here are a few things I will be looking for tonight against Maryland:
- A solid start to the season for LSU’s fantastic 4 seniors.
- An injury-free meet, and season, for Nikki Lyons in her return from a 2008 broken ankle.
- A better sense as to the #5 and #6 gymnast on each event for the first few meets this season. This is a real question mark right now.
- A strong home-opener crowd that will brave the elements to come salute the debut of their back-to-back Super Six Tigers.
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