LEXINGTON, Ky. – The LSU gymnastics team picked up its first 196 score of the season last week against Georgia, and the Tigers will try to take that momentum and pick up their first conference win of the season at Kentucky Friday.
LSU (2-7, 0-4 Southeastern Conference) will compete against the Wildcats at 6 p.m. CT in Memorial Coliseum. Live audio will be available for free at www.LSUsports.net/live and live score updates can be found by following LSU gymnastics on www.Facebook.com/LSUgym and @LSUgym on Twitter.
LSU broke through against Georgia with a 196.350 score, highlighted by freshman Sarie Morrison‘s third straight all-around title with a career-high 39.575 and freshman Maliah Mathis‘ 9.975 on floor – tying her for the top floor score in the nation.
The Tigers’ regional qualifying score is a 194.825 that ranks 20th nationally, but the Tigers are still counting a season-opening 193.350 at Oregon State.
LSU is hopeful of reaching 196 or higher for the second straight meet after posting season highs on bars (49.0), beam (49.025) and floor (49.275) a week ago.
“Each week we are asking the kids to get a little bit better because we have done a tremendous amount of growing, learning and coming together,” head coach D-D Breaux said. “This team is about to turn the corner and realize their real potential.”
The Tigers received a much-needed boost from All-America senior Samantha Engle who shook off the effects of a lingering sprained ankle to win the beam title against Georgia with a 9.90 and also scored a season-best 9.825 on bars.
Redshirt freshman Kaleigh Dickson equaled her career best all-around mark with a 39.125 as she tied her highs on bars (9.80) and beam (9.825) against Georgia.
Kentucky (2-6, 0-5) is also in search of its first SEC victory, and the Wildcats are coming off a season-high performance of 195.050 in a loss at 17th-ranked Ohio State.
LSU holds a commanding lead in the series against Kentucky at 63-4, but the Tigers will have to count on solid scores from Ericka Garcia, Janelle Garcia, Ashley Lee, Shelby Prunty, Sarah Zoldos as well as Dickson, Engle, Mathis and Morrison in order to beat the Wildcats.
“There is less preparation on other things when you go on the road, so it takes on a different complexion,” Breaux said. “We don’t worry about the crowd or any of those things, so we focus specifically on the performance and getting better.”
After the meet LSU will head back to Baton Rouge to take on New Hampshire in the final home meet of the season at 7 p.m. in the Maravich Center on March 4.