LSU at Kentucky

Recap

The Big Storyline: Kentucky completed the upset on senior night to hand LSU its third consecutive dual meet loss. Kentucky had the lead after the first two rotations with season-high event scores on vault and bars. The real difference maker came in stuck landings. However, Kentucky had some struggles on beam, leaving them behind LSU heading into the final rotation. But LSU faltered on beam as well, and had two falls to end the meet. Despite Kentucky’s shaky third rotation, the team was able to avoid counting a fall. Therefore, staying on the beam would make the difference in this competition.

Implications: LSU is struggling and has lost three meets in a row. However, in the long run only scores matter, and one of those competitions resulted in a 198 score. LSU will need to come out strong in its final regular season competition to make a statement before postseason arrives if it wants to be competitive. Kentucky has made steady improvements throughout the course of the season. The team is an underdog, but its consistency and commitment to clean gymnastics shouldn’t be counted out. Watch out for the Wildcats over the next few seasons as they only have competed one competitive routine by a senior in 2021. 

Records: LSU had the second highest vault score in the NCAA this season with a 49.625.  Alyona Shchennikova had a career high 9.950 on vault and 9.925 on beam. Elena Arenas scored a career high 9.925 on vault. Cally Nixon scored a career best 9.975 on bars. Isabella Magnelli scored a career high 9.900 on vault and Bailey Bunn also notched a career high 9.900 on floor.