LEXINGTON, Ky. – The LSU gymnastics team counted two falls on beam and one on bars Friday night in a 195.575-192.950 loss at Kentucky in Memorial Coliseum.
“The kids never were able to pick it up tonight,” head coach D-D Breaux said. “We made mistakes all over the place. We have to find success in the practice gym and then bring it into the competition arena.”
LSU (2-8, 0-5 Southeastern Conference) slipped on bars to open the meet with a 48.575 as Ericka Garcia posted a 9.35 to lead off the event. Kaleigh Dickson and Shelby Prunty followed with back-to-back 9.775’s, and Sarah Zoldos set a career high with a 9.85. Samantha Engle fell on her landing to earn a 9.325, and Sarie Morrison anchored with a 9.825.
The Tigers posted a 48.925 on vault in the second rotation, led by Morrison’s 9.875 to tie for the event title with Kentucky’s Jasmine Minion. Ashley Lee earned a 9.85, and Maliah Mathis and Zoldos also added 9.75’s to the team score. Garcia posted a 9.70, and Dickson’s 9.55 was dropped.
After two rotations LSU trailed Kentucky 97.925-97.500, but the Tigers were unable to make up any ground as they posted a 48.650 on floor in the third rotation.
Dickson and Mathis earned 9.825’s to lead the Tigers on floor. LSU also counted a 9.70 from Lee, a 9.675 from Prunty and a 9.625 from Garcia.
LSU’s top scores on beam were a 9.775 by Prunty in the leadoff spot and 9.625’s from Mathis and Ericka Garcia.
Morrison picked up her 11th individual title of the season and fourth on vault with her 9.875.
Kentucky (3-6, 1-5) scored a 48.950 on vault, 48.975 on bars, 48.600 on beam and 49.050 on floor to earn a season-high team score against the Tigers.
“Our girls are disappointed. They are not happy about what they did,” Breaux said. “We have to be patient and understand that we have to turn this thing around and turn it around fast.”
No. 20 LSU will return to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for the final home meet of the season on March 4 against New Hampshire. The meet will begin at 7 p.m., and the team will honor Engle for Senior Night. An autograph session with the team and three-time national champion Susan Jackson will take place after the meet.
MEET RESULTS
Team
1. Kentucky 195.575 (VT – 48.950, UB – 48.975, BB – 48.600, FX – 49.050)
2. LSU 192.950 (VT – 48.925, UB – 48.575, BB – 46.800, FX – 48.600)
Individual (Includes first place and all LSU competitors)
All-Around – 1. Phylicia Reshard 39.275; 3. Ericka Garcia 38.300; 4. Kaleigh Dickson 38.075; 5. Sarie Morrison 37.475
Vault – t1. Sarie Morrison 9.875; t1. Jasmine Minion 9.875; t3. Ashley Lee 9.85; t6. Maliah Mathis 9.75; t6. Sarah Zoldos 9.75; 9. Ericka Garcia 9.70; 11. Kaleigh Dickson 9.55
Bars – 1. Caitlyn Ciokajlo 9.875; t2. Sarah Zoldos 9.85; 4. Sarie Morrison 9.825; t6. Kaleigh Dickson 9.775; t6. Shelby Prunty 9.775; 10. Ericka Garcia 9.35; 11. Samantha Engle 9.325
Beam – 1. Andrea Mitchell 9.85; 3. Shelby Prunty 9.775; t6. Maliah Mathis 9.625; t6. Ericka Garcia 9.625; 10. Kaleigh Dickson 8.925; 11. Samantha Engle 8.85; 12. Sarie Morrison 8.40
Floor – 1. Phylicia Reshard 9.875; t4. Kaleigh Dickson 9.825; t4. Maliah Mathis 9.825; 8. Ashley Lee 9.70; 9. Shelby Prunty 9.675; 10. Ericka Garcia 9.625; 11. Sarie Morrison 9.375