LANSING, Mich.- LSU gymnast Kerry Descalopoulis missed a majority of the 1999 season with a fractured ankle. She looked as if she never missed a beat Saturday night as she began the 2000 season, however, as she led the Tigers in two events and helped them to a victory in their four-way meet at Michigan State.
The LSU gymnastics team opened its 2000 season with a solid effort, posting a 192.600 to easily outdistance runner-up Oregon State (191.100), third place finisher Ohio State (190.650) and host Michigan State (190.625) at the Summit in Lansing, Mich.
“I’m excited, the kids did a good job,” said LSU head coach D-D Breaux. “We did enough to win tonight and we certainly expect a whole lot more as the season progresses.”
The Tigers (3-0) found their rhythm in the third rotation, scoring an impressive 48.450 in the floor exercise behind a 9.825 Descalopoulis, who finished tied for second.
Twin sister Kim Descalopoulis came up with a combined 9.750, the second-best effort on the floor by the Tigers.
“On the floor exercise the kids really seemed to get their confidence going and that was a better indicator of what this team can do,” Breaux added.
The Tigers scored better than 48 in three of the four disciplines, winning all but the bars.
The Tigers scored a 48.225 in the vault behind a 9.775 from Descalopoulis, placing third.
Seniors Abbey Burns and Stacey Wegener finished tied for fourth in the beam with identical 9.775s, as the Tigers recorded a 48.125.
Wegener also led the Tigers on the bars, although it was the Tigers’ weakest event on the evening, as she recorded a 9.750, while the team managed a 47.800. Michigan State won the event with a modest 48.100 and was the only one of the four schools to surpass 48 on the bars.
LSU returns to Baton Rouge Friday for its home opener, as SEC rival Kentucky comes to the PMAC for a 7 p.m. showdown.