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
No comments:
Post a Comment