By: Nadia Testroet
The LSU Tigers have consistently been a force to be reckoned with over the past couple of years finishing fourth at the 2018 NCAA Gymnastics National Championships. Heading into last year’s national championship, the Tigers were ranked second nationally with a 27-1 record but ultimately came up short finishing fourth against the UCLA Bruins, the Oklahoma Sooners, and the Florida Gators.
While LSU may have lost two strong seniors in Myia Hambrick and Erin Macadaeg, Head Coach DD Breaux remains confident the four current seniors are strong competitors and leaders that will help LSU continue to be a strong and dominant team.
“Our four seniors are highly motivated and passionate competitors who have been an integral part of every success this team has enjoyed for the last three seasons.” Coach Breaux said.
Coach Breaux is also excited for the return of senior McKenna Kelley who was out the entire last season after rupturing her Achilles. Kelley had an incredible sophomore year as an All-SEC member and first-team All American Honors. Coming into her junior year, she looked to lead the Tigers to a national championship. But during her first-practice back from Thanksgiving break, Kelley ruptured her achilles and had to look to new ways to contribute to her team.
Now that she is back for her senior year, Breaux says Kelley will most likely be filling in the gaps where Hambrick competed and is thrilled to add her back in the lineups.
“Although McKenna was not able to compete for us, she was still a huge part of our team,” Breaux said. “Her spirit and enthusiasm drove our team throughout the season. Right now, she is training and getting ready for the 2019 season.”
Leading the Tigers this season will be 2012 Olympic alternate, senior Sarah Finnegan, former USA National Team member, senior Lexie Priessman and junior Kennedi Edney. Other key returners include former USA National Team member Christina Desiderio, and two-time British Olympian Ruby Harrold, who Breaux says has been training to compete in the all-around.
Finnegan and Edney were quite the all-around duo finishing with an impressive 39.525 from Edney and a 39.500 from Finnegan to finish third and fourth in the all-around at Nationals.
“Overall, I think we have a powerful team returning this year,” Breaux said. “They are all very talented and determined to carry on the pride and tradition of our program as well as our team goals of repeating as a dominant team in the SEC and compete for championships at every postseason meet.”
LSU will be hosting their annual Gymnastics 101 showcase event Monday, Dec. 10, which gives fans a chance to preview the squad and then the Fighting Tigers will open their season at home Friday, Jan. 4, against the California Bears.
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