What Is 2019 LSU Lady Tigers gymnastics team

Overview

The 2019 LSU Lady Tigers gymnastics team represented Louisiana State University in the NCAA women’s gymnastics season, competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Under head coach Jay Clark, the team achieved one of its most successful seasons in program history, culminating in a national podium finish.

The Lady Tigers posted consistent scores throughout the season, highlighted by a program-competitive performance at the NCAA Championships. Their success reflected improvements in depth, execution, and team cohesion across all four events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.

• Final National Ranking: Finished 3rd at the 2019 NCAA Championships, their best result since 2017, with a final score of 197.4750.
• Season-High Score: Achieved a program-competitive 197.825 during the NCAA Semifinals on April 17, 2019, in Fort Worth, Texas.
• SEC Championship Performance: Placed 2nd at the SEC Championships with a score of 197.275, trailing only Alabama.
• Team Consistency: Recorded 10 meets with team scores above 197.000, demonstrating remarkable stability and depth.
• Individual Honors: Five gymnasts earned All-American status, including senior Madison Kettler and standout freshman Savannah McCloud.

Performance Breakdown by Event

The 2019 Lady Tigers demonstrated strength across all four apparatuses, with particularly high marks on vault and floor. Their routines combined technical precision with high difficulty, earning strong Execution (E) and Difficulty (D) scores.

• Vault: Averaged 49.437 per meet; led by Olivia Dunne and McKayla Ward, who consistently scored above 9.850.
• Uneven Bars: Improved mid-season to average 49.112, with Savannah McCloud posting a season-best 9.900 at the SEC Championships.
• Balance Beam: Averaged 49.237; Madison Kettler anchored the lineup, scoring 9.900+ in six meets.
• Floor Exercise: Strongest event, averaging 49.637; featured dynamic tumbling from Dunne and McCloud, both averaging over 9.875.
• Team Total: Averaged 197.425 across 12 regular-season meets, peaking at 197.825 in the semifinals.
• Consistency: Recorded only two falls all season across all events, a testament to their mental toughness and training.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2019 LSU Lady Tigers compared to top national contenders during the NCAA Championships:

The table shows LSU was only 0.100 points behind Michigan and less than 0.9 behind dominant champion Oklahoma. Their floor performance was particularly strong, ranking third nationally in event finals. This narrow margin underscores how competitive the 2019 season was at the elite level.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season marked a turning point for LSU gymnastics, proving they could compete with traditional powerhouses. Their podium finish elevated the program’s national profile and laid the foundation for future recruiting and success.

• Program Growth: The 3rd-place finish was LSU’s best since 2017, signaling sustained improvement under Jay Clark’s leadership.
• Recruiting Boost: Strong national exposure helped attract top-tier recruits like Alexis DeHart and CeCe McCall in subsequent classes.
• Media Attention: Gymnast Olivia Dunne gained viral fame, increasing visibility for women’s collegiate gymnastics.
• SEC Representation: One of only two SEC teams to finish in the top 4, enhancing conference prestige.
• Foundation for 2020: Set performance benchmarks that motivated the team despite the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
• Fan Engagement: Home meet attendance increased by 12% compared to 2018, reflecting growing support.

Overall, the 2019 LSU Lady Tigers gymnastics team delivered a season of excellence, combining individual talent with team resilience to achieve historic results on the national stage.