SHREVEPORT, La. — An electrifying 39.775 all-around win by junior Ashleigh Clare-Kearney powered the sixth-ranked LSU gymnastics to a convincing 196.800-191.400 win over in-state foe Centenary Friday night at the Gold Dome.
Clare-Kearney’s score, the best in the nation this season, marked a career-high and ranks as the fourth highest all-around total in school history, while the all-around title is her third straight and sixth this season.
“This is the third straight week Ashleigh had put together four stellar events,” said LSU head coach D-D Breaux. “I think we have found the right balance with her and it’s showing on the floor of competition.”
As a team, the Tigers just missed the 197.000 mark despite having to count a fall towards the team score.
“With the exception of some uncharacteristic mistakes on the beam it was a pretty outstanding performance tonight,” said Breaux. “We came here tonight to get a better road score and we did that, so on that level I m very pleased.”
The Tigers began the meet in impressive fashion, scoring a season-high 49.325 on the uneven bars. A trio of Tigers turned in career-best performances as Clare-Kearney and freshmen Summer Hubbard and Susan Jackson all posted scores of 9.900 to finish in a three-way tie for first.
Centenary countered with a 47.825 on the vault as the Tigers took a dominating point and a half lead after just one rotation, a lead that would not be relinquished through the remaining three events.
LSU carried their momentum from the bars to the vault in the second rotation as they notched a 49.400.
Clare-Kearney continued her winning streak on the event, claiming her eighth straight meet title and her 11th in 12 meets this season with a near-perfect 9.975 effort. Butler wasn’t far off her pace, finishing second with a 9.925, while sophomore Amanda Morales rounded out the meet’s top three with a career-high 9.875.
The Tigers did not let up floor in the third rotation as they tallied a season-high 49.475 behind five scores of 9.825 or better. Clare-Kearney and sophomore Lauren Klein led LSU’s charge, sharing the meet title with identical scores of 9.975, which marked career-highs for both. Butler added a season-high 9.875 to finish third overall.
LSU stumbled slightly in the fourth rotation, having to count a fall towards the team score as they recorded just a 48.600. Clare-Kearney again came out on top, winning the event crown with a career-best 9.925. Phelan and Klein rounded out the meet’s top three with scores of 9.900 and 9.800, respectively.
Up next, the Tigers begin the championship season when they travel to North Little Rock, Ark., for the SEC Championships on Saturday, March 31.
MEET RESULTS
Team
1. LSU ? 196.800 (VT ? 49.400, UB ? 49.325, BB ? 48.600, FX ? 49.475)
2. Centenary ? 191.400 (VT ? 47.825, UB ? 47.600, BB ? 47.625, FX ? 48.350)
Individual (Winner plus all LSU competitors)
All-Around ? 1, Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 39.775. 2, Kelly Phelan, 38.850. 3, Nicki Butler, 38.825.
Vault ? 1, Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 9.975. 2, Nicki Butler, 9.925. 3, Amanda Morales, 9.875. t4, Kayla Rogers, 9.825. 6, Kelly Phelan, 9.800. 7, Sabrina Franceschelli, 9.750.
Bars ? t1, Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 9.900. t1, Summer Hubbard, 9.900. t1, Susan Jackson, 9.900. 4, Nicki Butler, 9.825. 5, Kelly Phelan, 9.800. 6, Lisa Rennie, 9.775.
Beam ? 1, Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 9.925. 2, Kelly Phelan, 9.900. 3, Lauren Klein, 9.800. t6, Sabrina Franceschelli, 9.625. 9, Kristi Esposito, 9.300. 10, Nicki Butler, 9.200.
Floor ? t1, Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, 9.975. t1, Lauren Klein, 9.975. 3, Nicki Butler, 9.875. t5, Kristi Esposito, 9.825. t5, Susan Jackson, 9.825. 11, Kelly Phelan, 9.350.