Gymnastics falls to defending champs for first loss of season

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By Marie V. Roussel

On Saturday evening, the LSU Gymnastics team faced a crowd of over 10,000 University of Georgia fans in Athens, Ga. Although the No. 5 Tigers put up quite an effort against the three-time defending national champions and No. 2 Bulldogs, LSU was unable to take down the Gym Dogs.

The final score for the meet was Georgia 197.550 and LSU 195.925. Even though it was not enough, the Tigers’ score was a season high in points.

Leading the Gym Dogs was Courtney Kupets. She has a quite a resume, as she is the two-time defending NCAA all-around champion and a former member of the 2004 Olympic squad. Kupets lived up to her hype and won the all-around with a score of 39.750.

Behind her was Ashley Clare-Kearney, the leader of the LSU’s team and the individually ranked No.1 gymnast in the NCAA. Clare-Kearney was named last week’s SEC Gymnast of the Week. She finished the meet second behind Kupets with an all-around score of 39.375. On the season, Clare-Kearney has won three outright all-around titles and 11 individual titles through four meets so far. The junior from Manchester, Conn. has been stellar for the Tigers and is their leader.

Despite the loss, the gymnastics team can still tumble back from this early defeat. With the skill, leadership and great coaching of D-D Breaux, there is no doubt that the Lady Tigers will remain a threat to all of their future opponents.

Before the loss to Georgia, LSU defeated No. 8 Arkansas on the road 195.900 – 195.300.

The Tigers finally return home to the PMAC on Friday, Feb. 1, to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. The squad will have a lot on their hands with the rest of their schedule. And like SEC football, the SEC serves as the powerhouse for women’s gymnastics as six SEC schools are in the top 25. In the top five alone, Florida leads the pack followed by No. 2 Georgia, No.3 Alabama and LSU at No.5.

The Tigers are set to face all those teams and No. 17 Auburn during the season. The stakes are high if LSU plans on making another run in the NCAA tournament in April. If anything, the competition is definitely helping this squad grow stronger.

With only one senior in Kristi Esposito, the Tigers are a young team that will reap in all the benefits of a season like this. Not to mention, the leadership and consistent performances by Clare-Kearney are sure to make the rest of the gymnastics season one to remember as well as one to watch.

Originally Published: Issue 595 - January 30, 2008

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