SALT LAKE CITY – The third-ranked LSU gymnastics team didn’t break No. 4 Utah’s lopsided home-court advantage and 147-meet winning streak, however, the team scored a 195.150 on the road and continue to improve as the heart of the Southeastern Conference schedule nears.
Utah won the meet with a season-high 196.375.
The Tigers (4-2) have only been defeated by the nation’s second and fourth-ranked teams, Georgia and Utah.
“We competed extremely well on the road here tonight,” LSU head coach D-D Breaux said. “I was pleased with this high score and the way we reacted to the pressure and the environment. This was a tune-up for the national championships here in April. In April, we’ll have a lot more to compete for.”
LSU was led by freshman all-arounder Shanyn MacEachern who scored a 38.825 in just the second all-around of her college career.
To begin the meet, the Tigers scored a season-high, 48.900, on bars while the Utes also recorded a season high, 49.100, on vault. MacEachern paced the Tigers with a 9.825 while Beth Boudreaux added a 9.80.
For Utah, Theresa Wolf won the vault with a 9.90.
In the second rotation, Utah was nearly perfect on bars, scoring a 49.50 after four gymnasts scored a 9.90. Meanwhile, the Tigers continued to fight hard against the pro-Utah crowd. LSU scored a 48.625, led by Burns’ 9.80 and Colleen Barger’s 9.775.
Utah led the Tigers, 98.60-97.525 halfway through the meet after registering 11 season highs out of 12 routines.
After 5-of-12 Utah gymnasts fell in last week’s meet on the road at Arizona, the Utes still had a lot to prove against the high-flying Tigers. LSU moved to floor for the third rotation while Utah took to the beam.
On beam, Utah once again faltered with two falls and a major deduction for touching the beam to score a 48.475. However, the Tigers were only able to gain a small margin after scoring 48.825 on floor.
MacEachern led the Tigers with a 9.825 while Boudreaux recorded a 9.80. LSU trailed the Utes, 147.075-146.350 with one rotation remaining.
LSU continued the season’s trend of consistency on the beam, however, every bobble and bounce was counted against the Tigers on this night. On the season, LSU ranks No. 1 in the nation on the apparatus with more than a 49-point average and have now hit 29-of-30 routines in five meets.
The Tigers scored only a 48.80 on beam as Wegener and Barger led with a pair of 9.825s.
LSU returns to action Friday, February 26, 1999, in LSU’s “Attack the PMAC” meet against SEC rival Florida. Free tickets to the meet can be picked up this week at all Albertson’s locations. Call 388-8226 for more information.