BATON ROUGE — The 11th-ranked LSU gymnastics team put together its most solid performance of the season as the Tigers crushed No. 8 Florida, 196.800-195.825, setting a new team season high, Friday night at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
“The kids performed better than they’ve performed all season. That’s what we see in practice,” LSU head coach D-D Breaux said. “They really kept responding well on beam that’s better than we’ve seen this year and last year.”
LSU improved to 7-2 overall and 2-2 in SEC competition. Florida fell to 3-3 overall and 1-2 against SEC foes.
Through two rotations, LSU lead Florida 98.575-98.150. The Tigers tallied a 49.150 on vault. The Gators took the title on vault with a 49.175. With a tremendous performance on bars, LSU broke its season high of 49.300 with a 49.425 claiming the event.
The Tigers continued the momentum through the third rotation by shattering their season high on beam with a 49.300 to capture the event as several Tigers broke their season highs. The Tigers posted a 48.925 on floor to close out the meet while the Gators scored a 49.325 in the event.
Individually, freshman Gloria Johnson broke her career high on vault by posting a 9.850. Junior Susan Jackson won the event title with a 9.900. On bars, four Tigers broke their season highs to help claim the event for LSU. Staci Schwitkis (9.875), Sabrina Franceschelli (9.850), Samantha Engle (9.875) and Jackson (9.925) all turned in season-best scores to help the Tigers capture the title.
Johnson and Franceschelli broke their career highs on beam by posting a 9.80 and 9.850, respectively. Engle tied her career high on the event with a 9.850.
On floor, Kayla Rogers tied her career high posting a 9.900, as Summer Hubbard broke her season high with a 9.80. Senior Ashleigh Clare-Kearney captured the floor title with a 9.975, setting a new season high and increasing her career total to 97 individual crowns.
Clare- Kearney captured the all-around title with a 39.625. Jackson placed second in the all-around scoring 39.450, and Corey Hartung for the Gators placed third with a 39.325.
The Tigers are back on the road against Alabama next Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT.
MEET RESULTS
Team
1. LSU 196.800 (VT ? 49.150, UB ? 49.425, BB ? 49.300, FX ? 48.925)
2. Florida 195.825 (VT ? 49.175, UB ? 48.975, BB ? 48.350, FX ? 49.325)
Individual (Includes first place and all LSU competitors)
All-Around ? 1. Ashleigh Clare-Kearney 39.625; 2. Susan Jackson 39.450; 5. Sabrina Franceschelli 38.900
Vault ? 1. Susan Jackson 9.90; 2. Ashleigh Clare-Kearney 9.875; t3. Gloria Johnson; t8. Staci Schwitkis 9.800; 11. Sabrina Franceschelli 9.725; 12. Kayla Rogers 9.700
Bars ? 1. Susan Jackson 9.925; t2. Ashleigh Clare-Kearney 9.90; t5. Staci Schwitkis 9.875; t5. Samantha Engle 9.875; 7. Sabrina Franceschelli 9.850; 12. Summer Hubbard 9.575
Beam ? 1. Corey Hartung 9.90; t2. Ashleigh Clare-Kearney 9.875; t2. Summer Hubbard 9.875; t4. Susan Jackson 9.850; t4. Sabrina Franceschelli 9.850; t4. Samantha Engle 9.850; t7. Gloria Johnson 9.800
Floor ? 1. Ashleigh Clare-Kearney 9.975; t2. Kayla Rogers 9.90; 8. Summer Hubbard 9.80; 9. Susan Jackson 9.775; 11. Sabrina Franceschelli 9.475; 12. Samantha Engle 9.175