Despite injury setbacks, LSU gymnastics places second in the annual collegiate quad.
Despite Injury Setbacks, LSU Gymnastics Places Second in the Annual Collegiate Quad
The LSU Tigers gymnastics team proved their resilience and determination at the annual Collegiate Quad Meet, finishing in second place despite battling a number of injury setbacks. This event, often considered a critical point in the season, features some of the top gymnastics programs in the nation, including LSU, Oklahoma, Florida, and Michigan. For LSU, the meet served as an opportunity to showcase their abilities and bounce back from a series of early-season challenges, including key injuries to some of their star athletes.
This year’s Collegiate Quad Meet was a true test for LSU. The team faced intense competition, with each of the four powerhouse programs bringing their best to the table. Despite being hampered by injuries, LSU’s gymnasts demonstrated incredible perseverance and skill, placing second overall and solidifying their position as one of the top teams in collegiate gymnastics.
In this article, we will break down the performances of LSU’s gymnasts at the Quad Meet, explore the impact of the injuries on the team, and look ahead to what’s next for the Tigers as they continue their quest for success in the 2025 gymnastics season.
The Setbacks: Injuries That Shaped LSU’s Performance
Entering the Collegiate Quad Meet, LSU was already dealing with several injuries that had sidelined key gymnasts in the weeks leading up to the event. Injury management has been a significant challenge for LSU throughout the season, and while it has affected the team’s depth and lineup, it has also allowed other gymnasts to rise to the occasion.
The most notable injury for LSU has been to Kiya Johnson, a standout gymnast who has been a key contributor on both vault and floor exercise in past seasons. Johnson, who is widely considered one of the top gymnasts in the country, had been dealing with a nagging injury that prevented her from competing in the Collegiate Quad Meet. Her absence was a significant blow to the Tigers, as Johnson is a fixture in the team’s all-around competition and a major scorer for LSU.
Along with Johnson’s injury, LSU also had to navigate the absence of Aleah Finnegan on certain apparatuses due to a back issue. Finnegan, known for her consistent performances on bars and floor, was not at full strength for the meet, which further impacted LSU’s ability to perform at their peak.
Despite these setbacks, LSU’s gymnasts pushed through the adversity and showed their depth, with several athletes stepping up to fill the gaps left by the injured stars. This resilience and ability to overcome challenges would ultimately be one of the defining features of LSU’s performance at the meet.
The Performances: Standout Gymnasts and Key Moments
Although LSU was not at full strength, the team still delivered several standout performances across the four apparatuses — vault, bars, beam, and floor. While the Tigers fell short of claiming first place, their performance in the meet highlighted the potential of the team and their ability to maintain competitive consistency even under difficult circumstances.
Vault: Consistency and Power
Vault has long been a strength for LSU, and the team’s performance in this event at the Collegiate Quad Meet was no exception. Despite missing some of their top vaulters due to injury, LSU still managed to post competitive scores.
Haleigh Bryant, who has become one of the team’s most reliable gymnasts on vault, had an impressive performance, sticking her landings and showing her power in each of her vaults. Bryant’s execution was clean and precise, giving the team valuable points. As one of the team’s most consistent vaulters, Bryant’s ability to deliver under pressure is crucial for LSU’s overall success.
Additionally, Finnegan, despite not being fully recovered, contributed to the vault lineup with a solid performance, providing much-needed depth and stability for the Tigers.
While LSU did not take the top spot in the vault competition, their solid performance helped them remain competitive in the meet and set the tone for the rest of the competition. The vault event showcased the team’s ability to perform under pressure, even with key injuries sidelining some of their star athletes.
Bars: A Strong Event for LSU
Bars is another event where LSU has traditionally excelled, and at the Collegiate Quad Meet, the Tigers continued to demonstrate their strength. Bryant once again stepped up, delivering a clean and powerful routine that scored well for the team. Her routine, which included precise swings, tight handstands, and a solid dismount, helped LSU maintain momentum in this event.
Finnegan also competed on bars, providing a steady and controlled performance. Although she wasn’t at full strength, her ability to remain composed and deliver a strong routine was critical for LSU’s success on this apparatus. Her experience and consistency helped LSU avoid any major mistakes and keep their score competitive.
One of the most impressive performances on bars came from Kennedi Edney, who has emerged as a key contributor for LSU this season. Edney has consistently impressed with her clean technique and ability to execute difficult skills with precision. Her routine at the Collegiate Quad Meet helped LSU score big in an event that was otherwise dominated by other teams.
Beam: A High-Stakes Event
Beam has often been a challenging apparatus for many teams, and LSU has had its share of ups and downs in this event. At the Collegiate Quad Meet, beam proved to be one of the most pivotal events for LSU. With injuries to key gymnasts affecting their performance in other areas, the Tigers needed a strong showing on beam to stay in contention.
Bryant delivered a strong routine on beam, showing incredible balance, grace, and composure. Her performance was one of the highlights of the meet and helped LSU keep pace with their rivals. Despite facing significant pressure, Bryant’s performance helped stabilize the team’s score and keep LSU in the running for the top spots.
Edney, who is known for her consistency on beam, also delivered a solid routine. Her routine featured beautiful transitions and excellent execution, ensuring that LSU didn’t suffer any major mistakes. Edney’s ability to stay focused under pressure was key to LSU’s overall performance.
Though LSU’s beam performance wasn’t perfect, the team managed to maintain their composure and finish with a competitive score in this event.
Floor Exercise: The Crowning Moment
Floor exercise is often the event where LSU shines, and this meet was no exception. With the team needing a big finish to close the gap on their competition, the Tigers delivered some of their best routines on floor.
Bryant once again showcased her power and precision with a high-energy routine that included impressive tumbling passes, expressive choreography, and a nearly perfect landing. Her floor performance was one of the best of the night, and it gave LSU a boost in their final rotation.
Edney also contributed on floor, performing with her usual flair and energy. Edney’s routine was full of dynamic tumbling passes, and her performance stood out as one of the strongest on the team. Her ability to deliver when it mattered most helped LSU secure valuable points in this event.
Despite missing some of their top performers, the LSU Tigers’ floor routines helped them maintain their place in the competition and avoid a dramatic drop in their overall score.
Final Standings and Takeaways
When the final scores were tallied at the end of the Collegiate Quad Meet, LSU found themselves in second place, behind only the powerhouse Oklahoma Sooners. The Tigers scored well across all four events, demonstrating their depth and ability to compete at a high level despite injury setbacks. The performance from LSU was impressive, considering the challenges they faced throughout the meet.
The final standings were as follows:
- Oklahoma – 198.0
- LSU – 197.2
- Florida – 196.5
- Michigan – 196.3
While LSU did not win the meet, their second-place finish was a significant achievement. The team demonstrated incredible resilience, especially considering the injuries that had kept several of their key gymnasts out of action. Despite these setbacks, the Tigers remained competitive and were able to perform at a high level, proving that they have the talent and depth to contend with the best teams in the country.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for LSU Gymnastics?
As the Tigers move forward in the season, they will continue to focus on improving their performances in the coming weeks. Injury management will remain a priority, especially with some of the team’s key gymnasts still recovering. However, LSU’s depth and the development of rising stars like Kennedi Edney and Haleigh Bryant provide optimism for the future.
The Tigers have shown that they are capable of competing at the highest level, and with continued recovery and adjustments, they will look to challenge Oklahoma, Florida, and other top teams in the upcoming SEC and national competitions. The resilience and grit demonstrated in this meet will be a source of motivation as LSU prepares for the rest of the season, with eyes on both SEC and NCAA titles.
