What a terrific 7 days here in South Louisiana! Last Friday, LSU defeated then No. 1 Alabama in gymnastics at the Maravich Center. Sunday the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl and set off days of celebrations. And today much of Louisiana is blanketed in snow!
Just around the corner is Mardi Gras and tonight we will celebrate it big time in the PMAC as #11 LSU welcomes Texas Woman’s University from Denton, Texas for a 7:00 pm gymnastics meet. Despite the cool weather, I sure hope you’ll come support the Tigers. This team has steadily improved throughout this season and is poised for a real breakout meet tonight.
Don’t forget that you can begin redeeming your vouchers for the Ashleigh Clare-Kearney bobble head dolls at tonight’s meet. Just stop by the Tiger Fan Zone at Portal C and pick up one of these collector’s items.
LSU Looks To Break Season High Team Score
Traditionally, LSU has put up some big scores against TWU. In fact, the last time the Tigers hosted the Pioneers (1/30/04), LSU scored 196.500 – a score that Head Coach D-D Breaux says should be the median team score for the Tigers the rest of the way should her team want to compete for a third consecutive Super Six appearance.
LSU has posted top school scores against Texas Woman’s an amazing 6 times. So, perhaps the judging will open up a bit tonight and the Tigers can stick landings. These could result in a very nice night for the Tigers.
Jackson Goes For School Record Tonight
Last Friday night against Alabama, LSU senior All-American Susan Jackson tied the school record for consecutive all-around titles to open a season with five. A win in the all-around tonight will set a new school record with 6. Jackson is tied with former All-American Sandra Smith, who won five-straight all-around titles to open her LSU career as a freshman in 1980. So, after tonight’s meet, there will either be a new record, or Jackson and Smith will remain tied in the record books.
Here’s how the pair have done it:
Susan Jackson, 2010, 5 straight all-around titles: Maryland, at Lady Luck Invitational, Auburn, at Florida, Alabama
Sandra Smith, 1980, 5 straight all-around titles: Texas Invitational, Georgia, Texas A&M, at Penn State, Louisville
It’s About Time
For the first time in 2010, Susan Jackson earned the Southeastern Conference Gymnast of the Week Award. After three previous weeks as the Nation’s No. 1 all-arounder, Jackson had been overlooked for the SEC honor. But not even her career high 39.725 AA score a week ago against No. 1 Alabama could be ignored this week.
Jackson earned the award once last season after posting her then career high score of 39.700 against North Carolina State.
Tigers Scores On The Rise
Steady improvement in key individual scores has truly become apparent heading into tonight’s meet against TWU. For the first time this season, 12 of 24 routines are scoring 9.85 or better – a key barometer of both individual and team success.
This week in the practice gym Coach Breaux has preached stuck landings to go along with polish, presentation and self-confidence as a means towards adding precious tenths to each scoring routine.
Rankings On The Rise Too
Friday’s 196.475 against Alabama helped the Tigers’ season average to 195.380. This was good enough to earn the No. 11 spot in this week’s national rankings. Less than two-tenths separate LSU and Nebraska for No. 10.
In the team event rankings, LSU climbed one spot to No. 9 on vault with a 49.045 average, jumped three spots to 12th on bars with a 48.830 average, moved up four spots on beam to 14th (48.565) and remained 11th on floor (48.940).
Mike’s Eye On The Tigers
Here’s what I will be watching for tonight when LSU hosts Texas Woman’s:
- 196.500+ for the Tigers tonight – building off of last week’s 196.475.
- But will the snow mean a small crowd and less enthusiasm in the Maravich Center? The Tigers must create their own energy.
- TWU to use a lot of gymnasts – 12 have scored in two or more events this season and the Pioneers use up to 16 overall.
- Susan Jackson to set a new school record for all-around crowns won to open a season.
- Summer Hubbard to have a great meet. She was a couple of stuck landings away from having a breakout meet last week. She’s shown steady improvement the last few meets.
- Will the Tigers look fresh or be ripe for a letdown after the Alabama meet? After a good week in the gym, expect them to hit well tonight.
It’s “Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez” night in the Maravich Center. Come catch some throws and have a great time with us.
Until next week, GEAUX TIGERS!
Mike
1 comment:
Sneaux or no Sneaux, we will be there to support the Tigers.
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