The LSU Tigers board a bus at 11 a.m. this morning for a 3½ hour ride north to Shreveport. On tap is a 6 p.m. start time, an hour earlier than usual, in Centenary’s Gold Dome as the Tigers take on the Ladies in the final dual gymnastics meet of the 2010 season. After tonight, the postseason begins and it’s one sure to be filled with as much hope as there are questions.
But first things first – LSU needs to have a successful meet tonight. To be sure, success tonight is solely defined by a high team score that will add to the Tigers Regional Qualifying Score. Currently standing at 196.200, LSU’s RQS could vault to a maximum of 196.560 should the Tigers score 197.150 or better tonight.
Why is this important? The RQS determines teams’ seedings in the postseason “tournament” and where each team will compete in the NCAA Regionals next month. A top 6 finish in the RQS would guarantee the Tigers a No. 1 seed and a favorable draw. A 196.560 RQS would’ve been good enough for No. 6 in this week’s rankings.
Senior Group Shines In Final PMAC Meet
Each of the LSU senior gymnasts scored 9.80 or better on every event they competed last Friday night, pacing the Tigers to the highest team score of the season – 197.150 against Iowa. The meet marked the home finale for Sabrina Franceschelli, Summer Hubbard, Susan Jackson, and Kayla Rogers. In last week’s survey, you agreed with me that this group of 4 is the best senior class we’ve seen at LSU.
Team Score Highest In Nation
The 197.150 scored last week against Iowa stands as the highest team score in the country last week. Utah owns the second highest score for the week– 196.975. The score allowed the Tigers to drop the 196.475 scored against Alabama on February 5 and, instead, count toward the RQS the previous high score of 196.925 scored against Oregon State two weeks ago.
Jackson Chasing More History
LSU senior Susan Jackson has another school record in her sights. This one could fall tonight in Shreveport as she competes in front of many family members traveling in to watch her final Louisiana performance.
Jackson is currently tied with Ashleigh Clare-Kearney for second-most all-around titles in a season with 9. Jackson has won the 9 titles in 10 meets this season. Clare-Kearney won 9 in 16 meets during the 2008 season.
Sandra Smith holds the school record with 10 all-around titles won during her 1980 freshman season. She accomplished the feat in 13 meets that season.
Tigers Winning Streak Advances To 2011
Last Friday’s win against Iowa gave the Tigers an undefeated season at home for 2010. LSU swept its opponents in the Maravich Center this season giving them 10 consecutive home victories dating back to the 2009 season. LSU opens next season’s home slate against Florida on January 21, 2011.
Tiger Superlatives
- Sam Engle for her second beam title (9.90) of the season last week against Iowa.
- Ashley Lee for her first-ever event title. She scored 9.875 on the vault to share the title with Susan Jackson and Kayla Rogers.
- Susan Jackson for adding three more event titles (vault, bars, floor) to her credit along with the all-around. She now has 63 total titles, second most in LSU school history.
- Summer Hubbard for solid scores of 9.825, 9.875, and 9.875 on bars, beam, and floor respectively last week. She is currently ranked 16th in the country on the uneven bars.
Mike’s Eye On The Tigers
Here’s what I will be watching for tonight as LSU travels to Shreveport to take on Centenary:
- LSU to be focused and ready to score big against the Centenary. However, I’m not sure that it will be 197.000-plus big. Centenary is winless this season and the judges could seek to keep the meet from getting out of hand.
- The senior group to once again lead the way. Watch Sabrina Franceschelli closely – she’s due for a strong all-around tonight.
- Susan Jackson to tie Sandra Smith for most all-around titles in a season with 10 in 11 meets this season. Also, don’t be surprised if she gives the school all-around scoring record a run tonight. It’s currently held by April Burkholder but might not be after tonight.
Our airtime in the Geaux Zone is 5:55 p.m. tonight from Shreveport. Don’t miss a minute of it!
Tonight we say “thank you” to four ladies who have worked together to form the core of the LSU Gymnastics program over the past four years. Tonight is Senior Night in the Maravich Center – our annual opportunity to recognize, honor and show respect for careers well done. If you’ve not been to a meet this season, please take a moment to attend this one. You will be glad you did.
Terrific Piece Written On LSU’s 2010 Senior Class
Congratulations to Sidney Kleinpeter for a wonderful article on LSU’s senior class. Please take a moment and read it on LSUSports.net. The article says far more than I can. Here’s the link to it:
Senior Group Best All-Time?
The 4 LSU seniors – Sabrina Franceschelli, Summer Hubbard, Susan Jackson, and Kayla Rogers – are among the most accomplished gymnasts in Tiger history. Let the debate begin about where they fall all-time, but here’s my two cents: they’re the best senior group ever.
Here’s a combined resume’ for your consideration. During their tenure these Tigers have:
- 2 Super Six appearances including the first in school history
- 2 straight NCAA Central Regional Championships
- 3 straight appearances in the NCAA National meet
- 75 wins and counting
- 12 All-American honors
- 1 individual National Championship and 1 runner-up
This senior group has a winning percentage of .645, which is currently third best in school history to the 1991 senior class’ (Rachelle Fruge’, Jami Snopek, Aimee Churchill) record of .691 and the 2009 senior class’ (Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, Lauren Klein) record of .683.
With a few meets left to go in the 2010 season, this year’s seniors have shot to move into the second all-time in winning percentage. And, this year’s group can set the record for most All-America honors – a record of 14 currently held by the 2006 class of April Burkholder, Kelly Lea, Terin Martinjak, and Megan Durning.
But What They Don’t Have…
Is a perfect 10.0 on any individual event. Wouldn’t it be great tonight to see one or more of these seniors hit one to close out their home career? Ashleigh Clare Kearney did it last year in her final appearance in the Maravich Center – a 10.0 on vault.
Large Alumnae Group Expected Tonight
The largest-ever group of LSU Gymnastics alumnae is expected to attend tonight’s meet against Iowa in the Maravich Center. It will be great to see them again. Yesterday, I ran into Marina Degteva and Sharene Mamby in the LSU Gymnastics Training Facility. The pair of former Tigers is in town from Toronto for tonight’s meet. Both are part of the 2002 class.
Degteva was a standout on vault, bars and floor while Mamby is the only Tiger to ever hit a perfect 10.0 on bars.
Susan Jackson Makes ESPN Top 10
The story about Susan Jackson’s first pitch at a recent LSU baseball game was in last week’s blog. ESPN noticed and ran it during Monday’s SportsCenter show. In case you missed it, here’s the link to what SportsCenter anchor Josh Elliot said, “That may be the greatest first pitch I have ever seen in my life.”
5 Straight 196.000+ Scores
Since the disappointing performance at Florida on Jan. 29, the Tigers have reeled off 5 consecutive team scores of 196.050 or better. Three of those scores were against teams ranked No. 1, No. 5, No. 6, and No. 6 at the time.
Tonight’s meet against Iowa is critical because a new season high home score would allow the Tigers to count the 196.925 scored last week against Oregon State to count towards their Regional Qualifying Score.
The Last Time LSU Scored 197.000 Or Higher…
…was almost exactly one year ago. LSU scored 197.150 against NC State on Senior Night – the same night as ACK’s perfect 10 on vault.
Tigers Look For 10 Straight Home Wins
After losing to eventual National Champion Georgia to open the home schedule last year, LSU has reeled off 9 straight wins in the Maravich Center. This year’s senior class looks to make it 10 in a row tonight against Iowa. During this span, the Tigers have knocked off 5 teams ranked in the Top 11 including No. 1 Alabama earlier this year.
A win tonight would give the 2010 Senior Class 20 wins in 24 home meets.
RQS Goes Above 196 For First Time This Season
The Tigers’ RQS jumped another two tenths of a point this week after last Friday’s season high score posted against Oregon State. The Tigers’ RQS of 196.110 was strong enough to hold the No. 10 spot in the national rankings this week.
The 196.925 team score against Oregon State allowed LSU to count a 196.475 score towards the RQS while dropping a 195.650 score the Tigers earned earlier this season at home against Auburn.
In the team event rankings, LSU jumped to No. 8 on bars, No. 10 on beam, No. 12 on vault, and No. 15 on floor.
Cox Replay Of Oregon State Meet Tomorrow Evening
The first Cox Sports replay of last week’s upset of sixth-ranked Oregon State will be tomorrow (Saturday) evening at 5:30 on Cox Channel 4.
Dickson Off Crutches
Freshman Kaleigh Dickson continues her rehab of a season-ending knee injury. The injury, the first major of her career, occurred just before the start of the season. It was great to see her off crutches and walking on her own yesterday. She will redshirt this season. Look for her to lend a major scoring role for the Tigers next season.
Larissa Makes Her Return, A Look At Iowa
Former LSU Tiger gymnast and LSU assistant coach Larissa Libby has been the head coach of the Iowa GymHawks for the past six years. Larissa was a standout gymnast for LSU from 1992-95. She was a four-year captain on the team and helped LSU to three Top 10 finishes. She won the Central Region bars championship her senior year as a Tiger.
Libby is the reigning NCAA North Central Regional Coach of the Year for guiding her GymHawks to a 10-5 record in 2009. The year before she was named co-Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Her team is paced again this season by senior all-arounder Rebecca Simbhudas who has an AA RQS of 39.085. Iowa is coming off back-to-back important wins for their program at Iowa State and at home against Southern Utah – two Top 20 teams.
Junior Houry Gebeshian shared the all-around title with Simbhudas in last week’s meet – both scoring 39.325.
Mike’s Eye On The Tigers
Here’s what I will be watching for tonight as LSU hosts Iowa on Senior Night in the Maravich Center:
- LSU to hit 197.000 for the first time this season. This is the time of year the Tigers really begin to shine.
- LSU’s four seniors to go out in style. Don’t be surprised if you see some career high scores fall tonight.
- OK, I am stepping out on this one. Tonight Susan Jackson goes 10.0 on vault for the first time in her career.
- Watch the continued improvement of junior Sam Engle. She has been a delight to watch this season with her steady and sure progress. Last week’s beam routine was gorgeous.
- The Tigers have worked hard this week on sticking landings and taking care of the little things that can add up to larger deductions from the judges. Look for the routines tonight to be clean and relaxed – just in time for the post-season run.
Until next week, GEAUX TIGERS!
Mike
What a terrific night for LSU Gymnastics and Foundation 56 last night in the Tiger Stadium Club! Several hundred folks turned out to help support the gymnastics Tigers’ primary charitable cause – breast cancer awareness and research.
Alongside former LSU Tiger and current Dallas Cowboys football great Bradie James, whose number 56 is shared in his foundation’s name, Head Coach D-D Breaux and many others joined to raise several thousands of dollars for both a silent and live auction. James’ mother, Etta, died of breast cancer in 2002 while he was a member of the LSU Tigers.
Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints memorabilia were among the hottest items auctioned. A football signed by every member of the Saints fetched $1,800 in the live auction alone. Trips to Hawai’i, Wyoming and Fourchon were also auctioned. However, the most touching part of the night was seeing a hand-made king-size purple and gold quilt – sewn by D-D Breaux’s mother and two other ladies – draw a $1,500 bid.
Billed as the “Foundation 56 Tiger Tailgate,” the event served as the official kick-off to the Third Annual Etta James Memorial Meet weekend. Tonight’s gymnastics meet in the Maravich Center will also serve as a fundraising opportunity for Foundation 56 and its effort to promote breast cancer awareness in our local communities.
Tigers Perform Well In Georgia
Despite falling behind by four tenths after the first rotation in last week’s meet at No. 5 Georgia, the LSU Tigers battled the GymDogs even for the final three rotations in an impressive display of perseverance and focus. The Tigers were led by Sam Engle and Susan Jackson, who won the all-around title for the seventh time in 8 meets this season. Engle set a new career high mark on balance beam (9.875) and a season high on floor exercise (9.825).
Other superlatives included Sabrina Franceschelli’s 39.050 all-around score, Summer Hubbard’s 9.825 on both bars and beam, and Ericka Garcia’s 9.85 on vault.
Though not as large as expected (and largely quiet throughout), the Georgia crowd did little to rattle the younger Tigers.
Susan Jackson Notches Another Record
Some great research courtesy of LSU Gymnastics SID Jake Terry reveals another school record for senior gymnast Susan Jackson. The Spring, Texas native has been ranked No. 1 in the all-around nationally for seven straight weeks. This breaks the record of two-time National Champion Ashleigh Clare-Kearney who was ranked No. 1 for three weeks during the 2007 season.
How good has she been this season? Prior to this season, Jackson had earned 5 total all-around titles. She has 7 in 8 meets this season.
Jackson Throws Out First Pitch At LSU Baseball Game
The No. 1 LSU baseball team honored Susan Jackson last weekend by inviting her to throw out the first pitch of the Sunday afternoon game. Well, she “threw” it all right. Just take a look at the video on LSUSports.net and enjoy her “curve ball.” My-oh-my what that catcher must have thought! The video link is here: http://www.lsusports.net/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=696022&db_oem_id=5200
Tigers Hitting Mid-season Stride
D-D Breaux has a simple philosophy about a gymnastics season. Start modestly. Find your strengths. Build up your weaknesses. Hit a mid-season stride, but don’t peak too soon. Go all-out from the SEC meet through Nationals.
That philosophy has been reflected in the last four gym meets, where the Tigers have notched team scores of 196.475 (twice), 196.200, and 196.050 at Georgia.
Rankings On Way Up Too
The Tigers’ RQS jumped two tenths of a point this week to 195.945 courtesy of the solid road score at Georgia. The 196.050 at Athens replaced the 195.050 the Tigers’ scored at Florida in the RQS formula. LSU remained ranked No. 10 in the national polls this week just behind 9th ranked Utah (196.155).
In the team event rankings, LSU jumped to No. 12 on the beam, No. 14 on floor, No. 10 on bars, and No. 12 on vault.
Cox Sports Broadcasting Tonight’s Meet
Lyn Rollins and Jewell Fourrier will have the call of the meet tonight as LSU takes on Oregon St. The meet will be recorded for broadcast on March 13 at 5:30 p.m.
Oregon State Is Very, Very Good
No. 6 Oregon State has a very good gymnastics team. The Beavers are 10-1 this season, with their only loss coming at No. 3 UCLA two weeks ago. As a team, Oregon State ranks in the Top 10 on each event. Senior All-American Mandy Rodriguez is outstanding and has a all-around RQS of 39.370. The Baldwin Park, California native will certainly give Susan Jackson a run for the all-around tonight.
As you might suspect, the Beavers compete in the PAC-10 Conference which has 5 teams ranked in the Top 25 this week. It’s been a while since Oregon State has ventured to Baton Rouge. In 1980, the Beavers and the Tigers faced off in the AIAW National Championships. Oregon State finished ahead of LSU that night, so the Tigers are officially 0-1 against the Beavers all-time in Baton Rouge.
The last time these two teams faced off they battled for the NCAA Central Regional title last season in Columbus, Ohio. LSU edged out Oregon State by .075 as both teams advanced to the NCAA National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Tonight marks the first time these two teams have squared off in a dual meet. LSU owns an overall lead in the series 9-6-1.
Mike’s Eye On The Tigers
Here’s what I will be watching for tonight as LSU hosts Oregon State for the first time in the Third Annual Etta James Memorial meet:
- LSU to hit a team score higher than 196.475. This will allow the Tigers to count both of its current season high scores of 196.475 towards the Regional Qualifying Score. This will continue to raise the Tigers’ seeding for the post season.
- A classic battle for the all-around tonight. Susan Jackson and Mandy Rodriguez. It will be fun to watch to say the least.
- Summer Hubbard and Kayla Rogers to have great meets tonight. They are both due for breakouts.
- Sam Engle and Sabrina Franceschelli to maintain their consistency on multiple events.
- A large crowd, approaching a record, in the Maravich Center tonight. The school record is 7,717 fans. Can we break it and, in so doing, raise our goal of $56,000 for Foundation 56?
