BATON ROUGE – The LSU gymnastics team (2-0) returns home to the Maravich Center for the Southeastern Conference opener Friday against Kentucky.
Introductions begin at 7:15 p.m. CT, and first vault is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at LSUtix.net, over the phone at 225-578-2184 or in person at the LSU Ticket Office on the first floor of the LSU Athletic Administration Building.
Last Week’s Result
Thursday, Jan. 14
LSU def. North Carolina State, 195.825-193.625
This Week’s Schedule
Friday, Jan. 22
LSU vs. Kentucky, Baton Rouge, La., 7:30 p.m. CT (SEC Network – tape delayed)
Notes on the Tigers
LSU came away with a big win on short rest against then-No. 23 North Carolina State, 195.825-193.625, at the Lady Luck Invitational in Las Vegas, Nev., on Jan. 14. The Tigers got off to a hot start with a 49.425 on vault and a 49.350 on bars in the first two rotations. LSU’s 49.425 currently ranks as the second-highest vault score in the nation so far this season, and the bars score is tied for fourth nationally. The Tigers improved to 2-0 on the season behind several strong efforts, including stellar performances from senior and Las Vegas native Randii Wyrick and sophomore Erin Macadaeg. Wyrick set a career high with a 9.90 on floor and added a 9.90 on bars and 9.875 on vault. In her first career floor routine, Macadaeg tallied a 9.95 to win the event, and she also took home the beam title with a 9.875 from the leadoff spot. Her 9.95 is the highest score in an LSU gymnast’s first career floor routine. Macadaeg also stuck her vault to earn a 9.875 in the leadoff spot. Junior Sydney Ewing won her first career individual title with a personal-best tying 9.925 on vault. Freshman Sarah Finnegan was impressive for the second-straight week as she won the bars title with a 9.95 and added a solid 9.85 on beam. Finnegan’s 9.95 is the highest score of any freshman in the nation, tied with Michigan’s Olivia Karas who earned a 9.95 on floor. Finnegan is the first gymnast in school history to post a 9.95 on bars in the first road meet of her career. Junior Ashleigh Gnat captured her third career all-around title with a 38.975, highlighted by 9.90s on vault and floor. Next, LSU will open Southeastern Conference competition against No. 20 Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. CT Friday in the Maravich Center. Against the Wildcats LSU will look to run its home win streak to 18-0 since the start of the 2014 season.
RoadToNationals Gymnastics Top 25
Jan. 18, 2016
Rank, Team, Season Average
1. Florida 197.250
2. Oklahoma 196.967
3. Michigan 196.950
4. Alabama 196.783
5. UCLA 196.738
6. Utah 196.450
7. LSU 196.388
8. Auburn 196.175
9. Georgia 195.988
10. Arkansas 195.917
11. Oregon State 195.888
12. George Washington 195.800
13. Boise State 195.700
14. Missouri 195.533
15. New Hampshire 195.467
16. Denver 195.375
17. Illinois 195.288
18. Nebraska 195.100
19. Minnesota 195.063
20. Kentucky 195.000
21. Eastern Michigan 194.963
22. California 194.900
23. Southern Utah 194.850
24. Stanford 194.800
25. Ohio State 194.775
LSU in the Individual National Rankings
Julianna Cannamela: 23rd VT
Sydney Ewing: 16th VT
Sarah Finnegan: 3rd UB, 5th BB
Ashleigh Gnat: 2nd VT, 5th FX, 18th AA
Myia Hambrick: 5th AA, 11th FX
Erin Macadaeg: 2nd FX
Randii Wyrick: 6th VT, 19th FX