AUBURN, Ala. – The 25th-ranked LSU gymnastics team will face rival Auburn in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams at 7 p.m. CT Friday in the brand new Auburn Arena.
LSU (0-1) is looking to rebound and improve after last week’s season-opening 193.350 score at eighth-ranked Oregon State, and the Tigers might be shorthanded when they compete against Auburn.
“This week we decided to concede the season for Gloria Johnson,” head coach D-D Breaux said. “Her ankle is not responding to treatment, so she is scheduled for surgery this week.
“Sam Engle also went down with an ankle injury in Wednesday’s practice while tumbling, and her status is no-go right now. So with those two lemons we are making lemonade.”
The potential loss of Engle for this meet and Johnson for the season removes two of LSU’s most experienced gymnasts from the lineups, and it places the pressure to perform on many of the eight freshmen who received their first taste of collegiate gymnastics experience last week.
“We are working hard with purpose every day,” Breaux said. “The girls are responding with commitment and effort, and our goal with each approaching meet is to grow and improve.”
Sarie Morrison became the first LSU freshman gymnast to open her career in the all-around since All-America sensation April Burkholder competed in the all-around in her first meet in 2003.
Morrison posted a 38.425 all-around mark at Oregon State, including a 9.825 on bars which tied Engle’s 9.825 on floor for the team’s high score of the meet. Morrison ranks 23rd nationally on bars.
Kaleigh Dickson, Mckenzie Fox, Maliah Mathis and Sarah Zoldos saw their first action as Tigers last week as at least two freshmen competed in each event, with four newcomers competing both on vault and floor.
Auburn (0-1) is a team LSU has had success against historically as the Tigers from Baton Rouge hold a 62-11 advantage in the series, including a 10-4 mark at Auburn.
However, Auburn beat LSU 196.575-195.300 the last time LSU competed on the plains in 2009.
Auburn struggled in a 193.475-192.775 defeat at Iowa State last week in first-year head coach Jeff Graba’s first meet at Auburn, so the Tigers are also looking to get on track.
Despite the 192.775 team score, Auburn posted a 48.650 on beam which is tied for ninth nationally.
Individually, Auburn senior Rachel Inniss is tied for sixth nationally on beam after she scored a 9.85 at Iowa State, and junior Kylie Shields is tied for 23rd on bars with a 9.825 score.
LSU fans can listen to the meet for free live in the Geaux Zone on www.LSUsports.net/live five minutes prior to the start of the meet, and Tiger fans can also receive live scores and updates of the meet by following LSU Gymnastics on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/lsugym or on Twitter @lsugym.