By Ryan Rogers
LSUsports.net
The LSU gymnastics team defeated No. 1 ranked Utah for the second time in three years boosting both the team’s reputation and more importantly the team’s confidence. The Tigers found themselves in an awkward position at crunch time against Utah. All-American Nicki Arnstad injured her right foot and the Tigers were forced to depend on a freshman replacing Arnstad that had never competed before to score a 9.85 on the floor exercise in order to top Utah.
The freshman called to duty, Rachel Franzella, rose to the challenge and with one dazzling performance elevated her team to victory and fulfilled her childhood dream. She scored a 9.85 and LSU won the meet.
“It’s been amazing lately. I never thought I would have a chance to compete this year,” said Franzella. “I came here (LSU) knowing this is where I would be the happiest and I was right.”
Originally Franzella was going to compete as an exhibition on the floor to give her the experience of a competitive meet environment without the pressure. On the third event Nicki Arnstad hurt her foot and the Lady Tigers needed a replacement for her on the floor exercise. Coach D-D Breaux approached Franzella and told her she was going to compete on the floor exercise in place of Arnstad.
“Coach D-D (Breaux) walked up to me and said instead of doing an exhibition meet to compete on the floor for Nicki,” said Franzella. “Then she told me I was going to go last which is a little more nerve racking.”
After getting over the initial surprise that she would compete for the first time, the importance of her routine was realized by Franzella. The pressure mounted on the youngster’s shoulders, but she shined on the biggest stage of her life thus far and proved to her team and coaches that she was ready to be a fixture on the gymnastics team.
“Right before my routine I knew we were really close so I knew I had to do well for us to win. I hit it well and once they flashed the score I saw D-D yelling and it was just about official that we had won the meet.”
Franzella’s teammates stormed her in celebration and Franzella entered a state of pure bliss over her accomplishment.
“I was a little nervous, but they (teammates) helped to calm me down,” she said. “They were so awesome. After I finished they were yelling and screaming for me. It takes a whole team effort and I was able to do my part. That was special to me.”
“Rachel made a tremendous step in the Utah meet,” said LSU assistant coach Bob Moore. “She’s a great kid, but she just hasn’t competed at the level of some of these other fine gymnast at the meet. She went out and just did her stuff. Our SID told us if she scores a 9.825 we tie, 9.85 we win. When they put the numbers in order on the scoreboard we knew we won. Rachel, being the great kid she is just took it in stride.”
It’s always a tough scenario when you get tossed into competition unexpectedly. Franzella was supposedly still in the process of tweaking her routine, but she felt she was ready to give a good showing.
“I felt ready. When she told me that I was going to compete I felt like it was my chance to show them that they could use me for the meet. I knew it was chance to show them I was ready.”