TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Having to count falls on both the bars and beam the LSU gymnastics team couldn’t stay with third-ranked Alabama as the Tigers fell, 197.400-193.800, to the Crimson Tide Friday night at Coleman Coliseum.
LSU got off to a slow start on the uneven bars having to count a fall as both Kelly Lea and Katherine Hilton had misses on the event. However, a trio of 9.850s by Rikki L’Heureux, Brooke Cazeaux and Lindsay Beddow salvaged the rotation as the Tigers went on to score a 48.650. Meanwhile, on the vault Alabama got off to a solid start scoring a 49.300, behind a near perfect 9.950 by All-American Jeana Rice.
The Crimson Tide extended its lead to 1.225 points after the second rotation turning in a 49.400 on the bars to the Tigers’ 48.825 on the vault. Freshman Brittany Brown paced LSU on the event finishing third with a career-high 9.875. Fellow freshman Terin Martinjak scored a 9.775, while Megan Durning, Rikki L’Heureux and Lauren Companioni all recorded scores of 9.725 to round out the Tigers’ scoring on the event.
The third rotation saw LSU turn in a 48.900 on the floor exercise behind a team-high 9.900 effort by All-American Lauren Companioni. Jade Jenkins and Rachel Franzella followed closely behind posting marks of 9.800. Alabama continued its success on the beam, counting four scores of 9.850 or better to post a 49.275.
Alabama sealed the victory in the final rotation scoring a 49.425 on the floor behind a pair of 9.950s by Shannon Hrozek and Michelle Reeser. LSU posted a season-low 47.425 on the beam, having to count three falls toward the team score. Durning and Jenkins were the lone Tigers to stay on top of the beam, posting identical scores of 9.800. The Tiger gymnastics team returns to action Sunday, Feb. 23, when it travels to Lincoln, Neb., for the Masters Classic.
TEAM RESULTS
Total — Alabama — 197.400, LSU — 193.800
Vault — Alabama — 49.300, LSU — 48.825
Bars — Alabama — 49.400, LSU — 48.650
Beam — Alabama — 49.275, LSU — 47.425
Floor — Alabama — 49.425, LSU — 48.900
LSU INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Vault — t3. Brittany Brown, LSU, 9.875, 6. Terin Martinjak, 9.775, t7. Lauren Companioni, Megan Durning, Rikki L’Heureux, 9.725, 11. Jade Jenkins, 9.675.
Bars — t4. Lindsay Beddow, Brooke Cazeaux, Rikki L’Heureux, 9.850, 9. Annie Gagnon, 9.825, 11. Katherine Hilton, 9.275, 12. Kelly Lea, 9.125.
Beam — t5. Megan Durning, Jade Jenkins, 9.800, t9. Rikki L’Heureux, Terin Martinjak, 9.300, 11. Lauren Companioni, 9.225, 12. Lindsay Beddow, 9.125.
Floor — 4. Lauren Companioni, 9.900, t6. Rachel Franzella, Jade Jenkins, 9.800, t8. Chelsea Richard, 9.750, t10. Lindsay Beddow, Brittany Brown, 9.650.