BATON ROUGE — Behind the second-best team total in school history, the 10th-ranked LSU gymnastics team defeated No. 18 Auburn, 197.525-195.600, Friday night at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
The Tigers’ score marked their fourth straight of 197.000 or better and their best mark ever in conference competition.
“This team really gained a lot of my respect tonight,” said LSU head coach D-D Breaux. “We’ve competed three times in the last eight days and they were tired, but they fought hard and turned in a great effort.”
The Tigers swept the meet’s individual event honors. Sophomore April Burkholder led all competitors, winning her sixth consecutive all-around title with a 39.500. She also finished first on the floor, capping the evenings performances with a near perfect 9.950. Burkholder’s floor title was her sixth of the season.
All-American Annie Gagnon returned to her winning ways on the uneven bars, claiming her fifth title on the event in six meets with a 9.950. Freshman Lisa Rennie followed in second with a 9.925.
Rennie later matched that mark on the beam in the third rotation to earn first-place honors on the event. Fellow freshman Kelly Phelan finished second with a career-high 9.900.
The Tigers return to action next Friday, March 5, when they host Ohio State in the final home meet of regular season. Action from the Pete Maravich Assembly Center will begin at 7 p.m.
TEAM RESULTS
1. LSU 197.525
2. Auburn 195.600
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (Winner plus all LSU competitors)
Vault – 1, Nicki Butler, 9.975. t2, April Burkholder, 9.900. t4, Kelly Phelan, 9.875. t6, Lindsey Thompson, 9.850.
Bars – 1, Annie Gagnon, 9.950. 2, Lisa Rennie, 9.925. t4, Nicki Butler, 9.850. t6, Lindsay Beddow, 9.825. t6, April Burkholder, 9.825. 11, Kelly Phelan, 9.300.
Beam – 1, Lisa Rennie, 9.925. 2, Kelly Phelan, 9.900. t3, Lindsay Beddow, 9.875. t3, Terin Martinjak, 9.875. 6, April Burkholder, 9.825. 11, Megan Durning, 9.325.
Floor – 1, April Burkholder, 9.950. 2, Brittany Brown, 9.900. t4, Kelly Phelan, 9.850. t4, Lisa Rennie, 9.850. t7, Terin Martinjak, 9.800. 10, Nicki Butler, 9.675.
All-Around – 1, April Burkholder, 39.500. 4, Kelly Phelan, 38.925.