Tigers look to break recent curse with strong performance
This is the biggest test of the season, in my opinion.
The reigning SEC and national champion #3 LSU gymnastics team is back on the road after a massive upset win over the top team in the country. Tonight, they look to retain control of a share of the SEC regular season lead as they travel to face #9 Kentucky in Historic Memorial Coliseum, the new official name of the arena since renovations that added air conditioning alongside other improvements. This meet is vital for LSU’s NQS as they’re looking to drop the 196.600 from the Arkansas meet, a score that dragged them down enough to drop in the rankings despite maxing their NQS. The meet begins at 6:00 on SECN with Jason Ross Jr. and Sam Peszek on the call.
Match-up history vs Kentucky
LSU is 88-10 all-time against Kentucky and is 16-6 in Lexington. The last time the two teams met was at the 2024 Fayetteville Regional Final at which LSU won 198.250-197.475. The last time the two met in the regular season was on January 19th of that year when LSU won 198.125-197.600.
Since 2019, LSU has a losing record in the SEC regular season to just two teams: Florida (2-4) and Kentucky (2-3). Of the 22 meets the Tigers have competed in at Kentucky, just one has ended with the Tigers scoring at least a 197. That 197, a 197.475 to be specific, came in LSU’s most recent win in Lexington in 2017. LSU needs to break free of the past today.
About #9 Kentucky
In 2024, Kentucky had one of the best seasons in program history. While they fell just short of nationals at #9 overall, the Wildcats finished 3rd at SECs to set a new program record for best finish. That meet also saw them pick up their first win over Florida outside Lexington and just their second win over the Gators ever. Combine that with the first 198 and first 10s not to come from Jenny Hansen in program history, and it’s a tough act to follow.
That act is especially tough to follow when looking at what they lost. The Cats lost 10 NQS routines and 1 NQS in the all-around. The biggest loss by far was the graduation, and subsequent hiring as an assistant coach, of the legendary Raena Worley, the most consistent gymnast in NCAA history. They retained fifth-year seniors Hailey Davis and Isabella Magnelli, huge pieces for their lineups they still rely on. They also added two transfers: Bowling Green bars specialist Isabella Rivelli and Washington all-arounder Skylar Killough-Wilhelm. Skylar was originally going to return to her alma mater for her fifth year, but she decided to transfer when her former head coach got the Iowa job. Full disclosure: I have interviewed her and even met her in person at nationals this past year. She’s super sweet and also does equestrian. Gee, I wonder why she chose Kentucky.
The Wildcats are 5-3 overall and 2-2 in SEC play. Their most recent meet was a 197.175-194.200 win over then-#55 Temple that is best described as “a thing that happened.” Kentucky will be looking to keep the undefeated streak alive for home teams (not named Alabama) in SEC play by having a solid meet. That’s who they’ve been the last several years: a very solid and consistent bunch who won’t necessarily put up massive scores but certainly won’t flop.
UK ranks #6 on vault [49.235], #11 on bars [49.170], #10 on beam [49.195] and t-#11 with Florida on floor [49.285]. The Wildcats are led by head coach Tim Garrison in his 13th season at the helm. He’s assisted by his wife and assistant coach Rachel Garrison in her ninth season, assistant coach Chad Wiest in his fourth season and the aforementioned assistant coach Raena Worley in her first season.
About #3 LSU
(recap of Monday’s press conference)
LSU is ranked #1 on vault [49.430], #4 on bars [49.330], tied for #5 with Oregon State on beam [49.310] and #7 on floor [49.335].
There aren’t expected to be any major lineup changes compared to last week. Jay said that Alyona Shchennikova is ready to go on bars, but he said nothing about if she’d be in the lineups. Aleah Finnegan has been working on adjustments to her technique on her back 2.5 to front tuck to try and avoid going out of bounds with it, so hopefully that bears fruit.
Now that the formalities are done, it’s time to get into the biggest part of this meet: the need for a good road score.
NQS-capades
Remember how LSU dropped in the rankings despite everything from last week? That changes this week. LSU is on the road and is finally capable of dropping the 196.600 from the Arkansas meet. LSU’s highest possible NQS, something only possible with a 198.050 or better, is 197.710. To lock themselves into #2, they need at least a 197.550 to get a 197.610 NQS. I am personally looking for a 197.600 or better since that’s a full point improvement over the worst meet of the season, but I’m a fan of nice-looking numbers.
I’m going to be honest, this is a meet that worries me, but that’s only because of the recent history of these meets. If they have a normal meet on the road for once, it’ll be a great sign of this team’s capabilities.
By the way, don’t forget to get your tickets for next Friday’s Purple & Gold Podium Challenge meet in the River Center vs George Washington. It will not be streamed, so the only way to check out the routines live will be in person.