ATHENS, Ga. — A strong finish and their best score of the season wasn’t enough to push the Tigers past the No. 3 Georgia Gym Dogs in front of a crowd of over 9,000 at Stegeman Coliseum.
It was the second week in a row that the Tigers posted a season-best score with a 197.300. Georgia was just ahead with a 198.050, also a season best.
It was the third-best team score in LSU’s history and their best performance since March 14, 2002 when they scored a 197.675.
The reigning SEC Athlete of the Week, LSU’s April Burkholder, won the All-Around competition with a 39.625. The sophomore from Houston has won four consecutive All-Around titles.
“It was our best score of the season but I think that is what we are capable of achieving,” said LSU head coach D-D Breaux. “It was the second week in-a-row we had our best score on the road.”
The Gym Dogs jumped out to an early lead spurred by Chelsa Byrd’s perfect score on the vault. Georgia led 99.00-98.60 after the first two rotations.
Junior Annie Gagnon recorded a season-high 9.975 on the bars to tie for first place with Georgia’s Cory Fritzringer. LSU freshman Lisa Rennie tied for third with a 9.900.
On vault Burkholder placed third with a 9.950.
LSU gained some ground in the third rotation, scoring a 49.400. Burkholder’s 9.950 led the Tigers and earned her second place in the event. Burkholder and Rennie tied for third place on the balance beam, both scoring a 9.90.
“I can’t single anyone out. It was a total team effort,” Breaux said.
MEET RESULTS
Georgia: 198.050 def. LSU: 197.300
Bars
Event Winners: Annie Gagnon (LSU) – 9.975, Cory Fritzringer (UGA) – 9.975
3. Lisa Rennie (LSU) – 9.900
April Burkholder (LSU) – 9.850
Kelly Phelan (LSU) – 9.825
Nicki Butler (LSU) – 9.800
Rikki L’Hereux (LSU) – 8.950
Vault
Event winner: Chelsa Byrd (UGA) – 10.00
3. April Burkholder (LSU) – 9.950
Nicki Butler (LSU) 9.900
Lindsey Thompson (LSU) – 9.850
Brittany Brown (LSU) – 9.800
Rikki L’Hereux (LSU) – 9.775
Kelly Phelan (LSU) – 9.775
Floor
Event winner: Brittany Smith (UGA) 10.00
2. April Burkholder (LSU) – 9.950
Kelly Phelan (LSU) – 9.900
Terin Martinjak (LSU) – 9.875
Nicole Butler (LSU) – 9.850
Brittany Brown (LSU) – 9.825
Lisa Rennie (LSU) – 9.700
Balance Beam
Event Winner: Brittany Smith (UGA) – 9.950, Chelsa Byrd (UGA) -9.950
3. April Burkholder (LSU) – 9.900
3. Lisa Rennie (LSU) – 9.900
Terin Martinjak (LSU) – 9.875
Kelly Phelan (LSU) – 9.825
Jade Jenkins (LSU) – 9.800
Lindsay Beddow (LSU) – 9.775
All-Around:
1. April Burkholder (LSU) 39.625