FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The 11th-ranked LSU gymnastics team went into the meet against No. 6 Arkansas looking for a solid road score, and the Tigers earned it with a 196.200 in a rare tie with the Razorbacks Friday night in Barnhill Arena.
It marked the first tie for LSU since 2000 when the Tigers tied Georgia for second place at the SEC Championship with a 196.825.
With the regional qualifying score (RQS) taking effect in the next rankings, LSU (5-3-1, 2-2-1 Southeastern Conference) needed a good road score to hold its position in the standings, and the Tigers delivered a season-best road score.
“We competed against a very good Arkansas team tonight, and they pushed us all night long,” head coach D-D Breaux said. “We are happy with this road score, but it was only a good night for us. We didn’t have great gymnastics tonight, and we will look to get better next week.”
Freshman Ericka Garcia saw her first action as a Tiger, and she did not disappoint as she tallied a 9.825 on vault, 9.775 on beam and a 9.70 on bars.
For the first time this season, senior All-American Susan Jackson did not win the all-around as she finished second with a respectable 39.425. It broke her streak of six straight all-around crowns.
Arkansas senior All-American Casey Jo Magee won the all-around with a 39.525 score.
LSU appeared to be on its way to a victory through three rotations, but the Tigers slipped on beam to end the meet in a tie.
Arkansas (3-3-1, 2-3-1) took the early lead with a 49.125 on vault, and the Tigers opened with a 49.050 on bars.
Senior Sabrina Franceschelli led off with a 9.775, and the Tigers dropped freshman Shelby Prunty‘s 9.425. Garcia posted a 9.70, junior Samantha Engle tallied a 9.825 and senior Summer Hubbard and Jackson tied for the bars title with 9.875 scores.
LSU took the lead after two rotations when the Tigers recorded a 49.200 on vault, led by Jackson’s 9.925 that earned the event title.
Sophomore Gloria Johnson earned a 9.85, Garcia posted a 9.825 and sophomore Ashley Lee and Franceschelli tallied 9.80’s.
The Tigers’ lead remained slim through three routines, 147.200-147.125, as both teams scored a 49.075 in the third event.
LSU earned its 49.075 on floor with senior Kayla Rogers leading off with a 9.80. Lee followed with a 9.775, and Franceschelli set her season high with a 9.85. Hubbard scored a 9.775, and Jackson anchored with a 9.875.
Arkansas outscored LSU in the fourth rotation as the Razorbacks pulled out a 49.000 on floor to LSU’s 48.875 on beam to force the tie.
Prunty was outstanding with a leadoff 9.80 while Garcia tallied a 9.775 in the second spot. Hubbard followed with a 9.75, Engle scored a 9.80 and Jackson registered a 9.75 in the sixth position.
With the meet in the balance, sophomore All-American Jaime Pisani earned a 9.925 to end the meet for the Razorbacks and earn the tie.
LSU will stay on the road next week to take on No. 7 Georgia at 6:30 p.m. CT.
MEET RESULTS
Team
t1. LSU 196.200 (VT – 49.200, UB – 49.050, BB – 48.875, FX – 49.075)
t1. Arkansas 196.200 (VT – 49.125, UB – 49.000, BB – 49.075, FX – 49.000)
Individual (Includes first place and all LSU competitors)
All-Around – 1. Casey Jo Magee 39.525; 2. Susan Jackson 39.425
Vault – 1.Susan Jackson 9.925; t3. Gloria Johnson 9.85; 5. Ericka Garcia 9.825; t6. Sabrina Franceschelli 9.80; t6. Ashley Lee 9.80; 12. Kayla Rogers 9.675
Bars – t1. Susan Jackson 9.875; t1. Summer Hubbard 9.875; t1. Casey Jo Magee 9.875; 4. Samantha Engle 9.825; t7. Sabrina Franceschelli 9.775; 11. Ericka Garcia 9.70; 12. Shelby Prunty 9.425
Beam – 1. Casey Jo Magee 9.925; t3. Samantha Engle 9.80; t3. Shelby Prunty 9.80; t5. Ericka Garcia 9.775; t8. Susan Jackson 9.75; t8. Summer Hubbard 9.75; t11. Gloria Johnson 9.675
Floor – 1.Jaime Pisani 9.925; t2. Susan Jackson 9.875; t4. Sabrina Franceschelli 9.85; 6. Kayla Rogers 9.80; t7. Summer Hubbard 9.775; t7. Ashley Lee 9.775; t10. Samantha Engle 9.625