BATON ROUGE – The second-ranked LSU gymnastics team opens one of its most anticipated seasons in school history when the Tigers take on No. 9 Georgia at 6 p.m. CT Friday inside the Maravich Center.
Led by the ‘Dean of SEC Coaches,’ head coach D-D Breaux enters her 40th season at the helm. A 2017 inductee into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Breaux led the squad to new heights during the 2016 season as the NCAA National Runner-Up, the highest finish in school history.
The meet will be televised live on SEC Network. Coverage begins at 6 p.m. The Network will carry all of the pre-meet activities, including both team introductions and the Super Six banner drop. The meet is set for a 6:25 p.m. first vault with Bart Conner (pxp), Kathy Johnson Clarke (analyst) and Holly Rowe (reporter) on the call.
Breaux Readies for 40th Season Opener
“The girls have done a tremendous job responding and doing everything we have asked them to do in the preparation process,” Breaux said. “We have to start strong in the battle of perception because it is important for us to go out there and look our best. Everyone is watching us, and our kids have been trained to feel like when they step into the PMAC that they are competing against everyone in the country. They take it and embrace it.”
Meet Promotions
The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a 2017 LSU gymnastics schedule magnet. Included in the pre-meet festivities is the recognition of more than 50 alumni who will line the vault runway for introductions. The 2016 team will be honored with a banner for the Super Six appearance in the rafter of the Maravich Center. Breaux will also be recognized for her 700th career win, which was earned at the NCAA Championship Semifinal last season.
Arrive Early
Record crowds are anticipated for the opening meet of the season tomorrow. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and purchase tickets in advance online at LSUtix.net to avoid long lines. Many lots around the Maravich Center are free and open to the public, including 101, 104 and 105. North Stadium Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 4 p.m. Lot 201 and 300 off of North stadium Drive will be reserved.
Geaux Clear
Fans are also reminded of LSU’s “Geaux Clear” policy that is in effect at all athletic venues. The policy allows for only clear tote bags smaller than 12” x 6” x 12” or one-gallon plastic freezer bags to be permitted. Bags must be clear and transparent and cannot be tinted, textured or patterned. For full details on the policy, please visit www.LSUSports.net/GeauxClear.
A look at the Bulldogs
Georgia is under fifth-year head coach Dana Durante. The Bulldogs are coming off of an appearance in the NCAA Super Six last season, the program’s third under Durante. The Bulldogs lost three All-Americans from last season as well as a pair of national champions.
Series Record Between UGA and LSU
LSU is 28-71-2 all-time against Georgia, including 7-12-1 at home. The last time the Bulldogs and Tigers squared off in Baton Rouge, LSU defeated No. 9 UGA with a score of 198.075 for the second score of 198 or better in school history. Last season, the teams competed five different times. LSU was 4-1 during the stretch with all four wins coming during postseason and the lone loss during the regular season in Athens.
Home Win Streak Continues to Climb
LSU has gone unbeaten at home in the last three seasons as the Tigers went 11-0 in 2014 and 5-0 in 2015, and the Tigers went 5-0 in 2016 after beating No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 20 Kentucky, No. 8 Arkansas, No. 8 Auburn, and No. 3 Alabama. The last loss was to Alabama in 2013. In the 21-meet win streak at the PMAC, the Tigers have earned win over Top-10 teams eight times.
LSU Returns Core Group from 2016
LSU returns a strong core of gymnasts from a year ago, including 20 of 24 routines from 2016. Ashleigh Gnat, Sydney Ewing, Shae Zamardi, Myia Hambrick, Sarah Finnegan and Lexie Priessman have all earned All-America honors during their time at LSU.
Fans can follow the Tigers on the team’s social media channels: @LSUgym on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat, www.Facebook.com/lsugym and at YouTube.com/lsugymnastics.