BATON ROUGE – The fifth-ranked LSU gymnastics team (7-3, 2-3 SEC) scored a season-high 197.650 to defeat the 15th ranked Missouri Tigers in front of a crowd of 11,047 fans inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Sunday afternoon.
Missouri Native, Sarah Finnegan was key again for the purple and gold as she captured the all-around title for the seventh time in 2019 with a total of 39.575. The all-around win for Finnegan pushed her total to 16 for the season to tie Susan Jackson for the fifth most in school history. Finnegan also won
“Competing twice in one weekend really is important for us because it prepares us mentally and physically for postseason,” LSU gymnastics head coach D-D Breaux said. “It was a great couple of meets for our team. The girls were tired but they fought through that. The enthusiasm and momentum of great routines took over and pushed us to the win and a great score.”
Kelley Earns First Career Win on Vault
LSU opened up with one of its strongest vault rotations this season for a 49.350. Finnegan opened with a 9.825 and Ruby Harrold earned a 9.80. Senior McKenna Kelley won her first vault title with a career high 9.925. Fellow senior Julianna Cannamela put up a 9.80 and Sarah Edwards and Kennedi Edney close things out a pair of 9.90’s.
Trio of LSU Gymnasts Win Bars
Freshman Bailey Ferrer, Harrold and Finnegan all earned strong scores of 9.90 to pace the Tigers and earn the event title. Ferrer’s score was a career high and marked her first ever event title. Bridget Dean opened with a 9.80, Sami Durante scored a season-high 9.85 and Edney also earned a 9.875.
Finnegan, Durante Win Beam
Finnegan earned her 21st career beam tile and was joined by Durante who scored a career-high 9.90. Christina Desiderio and Dean opened the rotation with scores of 9.85 and the Tigers also used a 9.825 from Reagan Campbell for a rotation score of 49.325.
Season High 49.550 on Floor Secures Victory
The Tigers closed out the meet in style with 9.95’s from Edney, Finnegan and Kelley to give LSU a season-high 49.550 on floor. The opening three performances from Harrold, Desiderio and Campbell earned scores of 9.85.
Up Next
LSU travels to Fayetteville to take on the 21st ranked Arkansas Razorbacks at 7:30 p.m. Friday on the SEC Network. The meet against the Razorbacks closes out a string of three meets in eight days for the Tigers.