LEXINGTON, Ky. — Behind a meet winning 39.325 all-around performance by freshman April Burkholder, the 14th-ranked LSU gymnastics team defeated No.22 Kentucky and Centenary Friday night at Memorial Coliseum. The Lady Tigers turned in an impressive 195.825 to better UK’s mark of 194.125 and Centenary’s 189.400.
“I felt that we competed better tonight,” said LSU head coach D-D Breaux. “We made some mistakes, but they weren’t big mistakes. Our goal was not to count a fall and we did that. I think the team showed some great competitive character and I’m pleased with the outcome.”
LSU started the meet on fire scoring a 49.175 on the bars as all six of the Lady Tigers posted career high marks on the event. Lindsay Beddow and Annie Gagnon tied for first on the event scoring a pair of 9.875s, while April Burkholder followed closely behind finishing third with a 9.850.
With a .350 advantage over Kentucky entering the second rotation, the Lady Tigers extended their lead with a season-high 48.800 outing on the beam.
Burkholder paced the LSU squad winning the beam for the second straight week (9.850). Terin Martinjak turned in an impressive performance of her own scoring a 9.800, while Megan Durning rounded out the Lady Tigers’ top-three with a 9.750.
With the lead steadily in hand the Lady Tigers moved to the floor exercise where they lit up the arena with a stunning 49.275 performance. The freshmen duo of Burkholder and Martinjak were near perfect, scoring 9.925 and 9.900, respectively, to sweep the top-two spots on the event. Jenkins and Lauren Companioni followed with marks of 9.825, while Brittany Brown posted a solid 9.800.
LSU secured the victory in the final rotation scoring a solid 48.550 on the vault. L’Heureux and Martinjak turned in the Lady Tigers’ top performances as each scored a 9.775 to tie for third on the event.
Next week the Lady Tigers continue their SEC schedule, traveling to Auburn for a dual meet with the Tigers, Jan. 24.
LSU TEAM SCORES
Vault – 48.550
Bars – 49.200
Beam – 48.800
Floor – 49.275
Total – 195.825
LSU INDIVIDUAL SCORES
Vault – t1. Rikki L’Heureux, Terin Martinjak, 9.775; t6. Lauren Companioni, April Burkholder, 9.700; t10. Jade Jenkins, 9.600; 16. Brittany Brown, 9.250.
Bars – t1. Lindsay Beddow, Annie Gagnon, 9.875; 3. April Burkholder, 9.850; t5th. Kelly Lea, Rikki L’Heureux, 9.800; t10. Jade Jenkins, 9.700.
Beam – 1. April Burkholder, 9.850; 3. Terin Martinjak, 9.800; 6. Megan Durning, 9.750; t7. Lindsay Beddow, Annie Gagnon, 9.700; 16. Jade Jenkins, 9.225.
Floor – 1. April Burkholder, 9.925; 2. Terin Martinjak, 9.900; t4. Lauren Companioni, Jade Jenkins, 9.825; t7. Brittany Brown, 9.800; 9. Rachel Franzella, 9.775.
All-Around – 1. April Burkholder, 39.325; 5. Jade Jenkins, 38.350.