Only one team joins LSU in the search for great road scores
A much-needed break from the SEC comes just a few minutes from home.
The reigning SEC and national champion #2 LSU gymnastics team gets set to take on the home stretch of the regular season with a bit more relaxation tonight. LSU’s quest for the SEC regular season title is not on the line. Tonight is about improving the team’s NQS and preparing for the postseason in the Raising Cane’s River Center at the 2025 Purple and Gold Podium Challenge against #35 George Washington. Iowa and Washington pulled out of the meet at the last minute, so it’s down to a dual meet. If you didn’t heed my suggestions about buying a ticket, you still have time to get yours before the 6:30 start. The meet will not be streamed or televised, and live scores have been iffy at best in the past, so follow LSU on Twitter or Instagram if you can’t come and want to keep up.
Matchup history vs George Washington
LSU is 11-0 all-time against GWU and is 7-0 on neutral floors. The two last met at the 2024 edition of the Purple and Gold Podium Challenge at which the Tigers triumphed 198.425-195.100. This will be the first time LSU has ever faced GWU in a dual meet and the first time they’ve had a dual against a member of the EAGL since 3/9/2018 when LSU beat NC State in Raleigh 197.575-196.100. NC State was also LSU’s opponent in their last neutral site dual meet, a 195.825-193.625 win over the Wolfpack at the Lady Luck Invitational in Las Vegas on 1/14/2016.
About #35 George Washington
The Revolutionaries’ 2024 season was okay. They finished 38th overall and third out of five teams at EAGLs. Three of their gymnasts qualified as individuals to regionals.
2025 is a year of big changes starting at the top. Margie Foster-Cunningham, the dean of NCAA gymnastics coaches, announced her retirement after over four decades in charge of the program. In her place is alumna and program stalwart Stephanie Stoicovy-Worrell. They also lost three key contributors. Floor specialist Payton Lynch and all-arounder Anneliese Silverman both graduated, and Sarah Zois, one of the individuals who made regionals, transferred to Auburn for her senior season.
The Revolutionaries kept one of their program greats: fifth-year senior and front tumbling superstar Kendall Whitman, the woman with the hardest floor routine in the NCAA. She does three E passes every week and has a career high of 9.975. They also added Lola Montevago, a freshman who set the school bars record with a 9.975 on February 2. If you’re going, watch out for them.
GWU is coming in at 16-3 overall, second to Towson’s 17 for most wins in the country. Their most recent meet was a 195.325-194.200 win at conference foe New Hampshire. Tonight is all about dropping the 194.525 from their second meet of the season so they can keep themselves in the regionals picture.
The Revs rank #33 on vault [48.860], t-#44 with San Jose State on bars [48.665], #32 on beam [48.870] and #31 on floor [49.025]. They are led by head coach Stephanie Stoicovy-Worrell in her first season at the helm and 10th overall with the program. She is assisted by two first-year assistants, India Anderson and Sunny Marchand.
About #2 LSU
(recap of Monday’s press conference)
LSU is tied for #1 with Oklahoma on vault [49.430], tied for #4 with Missouri on bars [49.340], #4 on beam [49.375] and #6 on floor [49.430].
This meet gives LSU a chance to rest people, but as Jay mentioned in his presser, that has to be strategic. He said it’s likely that Haleigh Bryant is in the all-around again so she keeps getting chances to knock off rust, and it’s likely there will be some movement. That’s all we know for now.
This meet is a great chance for LSU to get a massive road score for their NQS even with the rest.
NQS-capades
LSU is currently sitting on a 197.540 NQS and is looking to drop the 197.200 from the Kentucky meet. A 197.800 or better will ensure that the Tigers retain the #2 ranking over UCLA no matter what the Bruins do Sunday. That would give LSU a 197.660+ NQS. If LSU scores a 198.050+, they will max their NQS at 197.710. LSU cannot catch Oklahoma for the #1 ranking because their maximum NQS would still be short by the equivalent of 0.775 in one meet.
LSU should come out of this meet with a win, but it can’t be a pyrrhic victory. I’m excited for it since the stakes tend to be lower and there are chances for exhibitions from people who need them. If they hit like they do 2.5 miles away, this should be a very good experience.