At this point, it might as well be tradition for me to cover the matchup between the Kentucky Wildcats and the LSU Tigers. As Kentucky has won the last three meetings, LSU will look to protect its home floor against enemy invasion. If you ask me, beam is likely to be the deciding factor of the meet. Whoever wins beam is likely to win the meet.
LSU finished up last week at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad with a second place finish behind Oklahoma and its first 197-plus score of 2024. The weekend saw some notable routines missing from Amari Drayton on floor and Konnor McClain on beam. However, we did get an Annie Beard beam debut, a Kiya Johnson return to all around competition and a McClain 10.0 on bars, so there’s no room for complaining here. The Tigers proved they haven’t lost their fight, clawing back from a disappointing start on beam to defeat UCLA and Utah. Keep an eye out for which lineup combinations LSU opts for this evening. That’s the blessing of having so many high caliber athletes on one roster–options.
Kentucky enters this meet ranked ahead of its foe, going 197.475 last weekend on the road against Auburn. The team started off hot on bars and never cooled off. This team is going to be a major threat in the SEC this year and should not be underestimated. Of course keep an eye out for THE Raena Worley, but don’t forget to watch out for freshman protege Delaynee Rodriguez as well.
Rotation 1: LSU VT, Kentucky UB
KJ Johnson (LSU): Yurchenko full, chest forward going for the stick extra hard. Great amplitude. A step forward. 9.850
Rodriguez (UK): Tkatchev, good amplitude. Clear hip to overshoot hand. Right on. Double layout is absolutely stuck. This freshman is just insane. A queen. 9.900
Drayton (LSU): Yurchenko one and a half is huge. Just a pace forward with control. 9.875
Finnegan is out on vault tonight for a “wrist thing that’s been bothering her.”
Riegert (UK): Blind, Jaeger. HUGE. So much height. Toe hand to overshoot. A little under on the last HS. Double layout, a little whippy but stuck. 9.875
Schoenherr (LSU): Yurchenko full and a half is nearly stuck. Just a baby hop in place. Best one on the year for her. 9.925
Rizo (UK): Another freshman. Blind, Jaeger. Great turn over. Overshoot, a bit archy in the back. Double layout, with some soft feet. Another stick. Three-for-three. 9.825
Brock (LSU): She’s baaaaaaackkkk. Yurchenko full and a half is very back on her heels. She had to take a good three steps back. That will be the score to drop. 9.5
Gormley (UK): 9.825 Her routine got caught up in the switch from SEC+ to SECN…
Kiya Johnson (LSU): Yurchenko double full. Easily best vault of the year. A scoot of the front foot, chest pretty tall. 9.900
Bunn (UK): Blind, Jaeger. Great. Overshoot hand, a baby arch. A touch short on the last HS. Double layout. I think it was stuck, but we got a shot of the coach’s back instead. 9.875
Bryant (LSU): Front handspring front pike half. Ginormous. Pulled her chest up, but had a leannnnn back. Small foot adjustment. 9.975. Fine.
Worley (UK): Clear hip to Tkatchev. Huge. Pak salto, little feet apart. Nothing to see here. FTDT. Text book. 9.975. So the scoring is going to be wild tonight. I’m here for it.
AFTER ONE: LSU 49.525, Kentucky 49.450
My word. What a rotation. Kentucky stuck every single bar dismount, which is flat out insane. Even without Finnegan, the Tigers showed they could vault with the best in the country… This is going to be a tight race tonight. I hope everyone is prepared.
Rotation 2: Kentucky VT, LSU UB
I need Haleigh Bryant to stop saying “It’s my last year here,” in this video montage. I’m already in mourning.
Rodriguez (UK): Yurchenko full. Another stick. Oh my word. Could’ve had a touch more height, but that’s being picky. 9.850
Jeffrey (LSU): Maloney, overshoot. Some arch on the catch. HS slightly short. FTDT with flexed feet, too close for my taste. A hop back. Great amplitude there.
Rizo (UK): Yurchenko full, some pike down which caused her to hop back. Not the hugest vault, but technically sound. 9.750
Cowan (LSU): Ray, peeled off at the bottom. Turn over was there, but not quite able to hang on. Repeating. Ray to overshoot. Great this time. Double layout is stuck. Bummer that that’s going to have to be the score to drop. The mulligan routine was great. 9.375
Patterson (UK): Shout out Plano, TX. Front handspring front pike half. STUCK cold. A jump with fists in the air to celebrate. As she should. 9.925
Kiya Johnson (LSU): Maloney, overshoot. Some shape. Toe hand, double layout. A little hop forward. Went for the stick. 9.850
Magnelli (UK): Front handspring front pike half with a scooch back. Some knee bend in there. Wishing for some more distance from the table.9.850
McClain (LSU): Held the first handstand. Piked ray to pak. Huge. Last HS right on. FTDT with a step back. And a half smile. 9.875
Worley (UK): Yurchenko one and a half, great in the air with a step forward. 9.875
Schoenherr (LSU): Blind to Jaeger. Faught for the handstand. Toe hand, overshoot. Blind, double front with a half is on the money. Best dismount I’ve seen her do. 9.925
Wilson (UK): Front handspring front pike half, a small step back. 9.900
Bryant (LSU): Blind, Jaeger. Amazing. Held HS. Overshoot. Casual. Blind, Double front with a half. Stuck. Give her a 10? 10.000
AFTER TWO: LSU 98.975, Kentucky 98.850
Wow. What a great meet so far. These teams are easily on pace for season highs. Both seem to be rising to the occasion at the moment. I’m on the edge of my seat.
Rotation 3: LSU BB, Kentucky FX
This is the event to start paying close attention, my friends.
Ballard (LSU): John and Aly’s lead off prediction. BHS LOSO. Arms right to the lunge. Between the brick walls. Sissone, switch half. Around. Front toss, small front foot adjustment. Chest up. RO back 1.5. Smidgen of a foot flicker. 9.900
Rodriguez (UK): Front double full. Around nicely. Switch ring, tour jete half. Double tuck, a slide back to the lunge. Back 1.5, front half to split jump. Strong opening set. 9.850
Beard (LSU): BHS LOSO. Chest right up. Good. Looking confident. Switch leap, straddle half, leannn to beat. Kept it moving. Side aerial. Right on. Arabesque down to the beam. Lovely. Cat leap, gainer full. Stuck. Great come back from the fall on this event last weekend. 9.875
Magnelli (UK): Rudi to LOSO. Floaty. Loved it. Switch side, popa. Great extension. Taking a breather. Double pike. A little over, had to slide the front foot. 9.850
McClain (LSU): I’m sad the series is different. It’s her signature. Switch leap, switch half. The lines go crazy. Front aerial, BHS. Kept it moving. Still sad. Wolf jump as she does. Better than anyone else. Little lean on the turn. Side aerial, check. Around the side, but managed. Gainer full. Went for the stick, but had to hop forward. 9.800
Patterson (UK): Back 1.5 to front layout to straddle jump to her stomach. A bit mistimed on the punch. Switch ring is just lovely. Switch half ring. I’m thinking two passer. Bey? Is that you? Double tuck. Faught for her life to pull it. Good debut on floor for her. 9.850
Kiya Johnson (LSU): BHS LOSO. Turn that foot out, girl. Switch, switch. Would like a little more extension. Front toss, little lean. Managed. Deep breath. RO double twist. Foot twitch. Standing O from DD Breaux. 9.900
Davis (UK): Double pike, slid the front foot. Switch side half, straddle half. Great amplitude. Back 1.5 to front lay. Extension on the front lay was right on. Backward worm. Shhhhh. Prepping for the final pass. Double tuck. Stepped forward, but really didn’t need to. 9.900
Jay hiding behind the bleachers during beam is wild. But honestly…same.
Bryant (LSU): Front aerial, BHS. Smooth like silk. Switch leap, straddle 1/4. A little studder on the step in. Front tuck. Standing and stuck. My word. I’ll never get over it. How? Rudi dismount. Stuck. Obviously. 9.900
Brose (UK): A PERFORMER. Double pike. Chest a touch down. Tour jete, wolf full. Front full, front lay. Maintained the lay position throughout. Obsessed with her a little. Front double full. What like it’s hard? Stunning set. Should score big. 9.925
Finnegan (LSU): BHS LOSO LOSO. A lean to the right. Switch leap, split. Quick arms. Front aerial, turned the hips out of it. Gainer full, stuck. 9.850 to go ahead apparently for LSU. 9.850
Worley (UK): FTDT. The easiest, according to Raena. Switch ring, switch side. Front full, front lay. Stuck. Aly fan girling on Raena winking at her is everything I needed tonight. Annie are you okay? Double tuck. My word. Is this her 10? 9.950. Devastating. Don’t mind my dramatics.
AFTER THREE: LSU 148.400, Kentucky 148.325
What does Miss Worley have to do to get her 10.000? I’m genuinely curious at this point. Anyway, LSU beam finally went six-for-six, so that’s exciting. Obviously this was thanks to coach Jay’s cup chewing habits during the event. I do genuinely enjoy the random facts I’m learning about athletes and coaching staff members today. Kentucky kept things razor thin on floor. If you’re not paying attention to this team’s freshman class yet, you certainly should be… ONTO THE FINAL ROTATION!
Rotation 4: Kentucky BB, LSU FX
Will Kentucky get the win for the fourth consecutive year, or will LSU be able to defend the PMAC? We’ll find out in 3…2…1…
You guessed it! Rodriguez (UK): The leadoff freshman phenom. Switch leap, split. A smile. BHS BHS LOSO. Some soft feet. Well controlled on the landing. Side somi. Rarely see that skill in NCAA. RO back 1.5. A little back on her heels, but held onto the stick. 9.850
Ballard (LSU): Double layout. Right on the money with the landing there. Snake it on up. Back 1.5, front layout. Knees a touch soft in the twist. LSU!!! Switch ring, switch half to a knee. Dance it out. Double pike. Great. Chest up. Ballard is really looking the best in her career this year. No kidding. 9.875. The crowd is actively booing that one.
Gormley (UK): A press handstand on the beam. Switch side. Down. Sharp. Front aerial. Around. A smile. BHS LOSO. Leg up, back in it with a quickness. No panic in her. Switch leap, straddle 1/4. BHS back 1.5 is stuck. 9.750
McClain (LSU): A floor debut everyone. BEYONCE. Double layout. My word. Konnor having fun is my favorite. Switch leap, switch full. Back 1.5, front full. A touch soft in the knees, but strong connection pass. A tiger growl to finish. 9.925
Bunn (UK): BHS LOSO LOSO. Leg up and a full turn around wobble. Didn’t fall by pure willpower. Switch leap, split jump. John says she’s a jedi. RO back double twist. Chest down with a hop. Kentucky will be counting the 9.750, but the grit of that routine went CRAZY. 9.500
KJ Johnson (LSU): FTDT. Open and easy-looking. A head spring. Back 1.5, front layout. A bit bouncy. Switch side, popa. Amplitude, please and thank you. Double tuck. LSU is leaving NO CRUMBS.
A 10 chant from the ENTIRE PMAC. 9.950
Patterson (UK): BHS LOSO. A lean, saved it. Front aerial, split jump. She is fighting. Kept the connection moving. Cat leap, switch side. Good. Gainer pike. Gutsy routine. 9.850
Drayton (LSU): Double layout, if I’m being picky, a pike down. Front tuck through to double tuck. Good connection pass. Wolf full turn. Switch ring, switch half, a little slow with the legs getting down on the second leap. 9.900
Worley (UK): Cat leap, switch side. Front aerial, BHS LOSO. She was low key crooked on the aerial. Adjusted it for the perfect ending. RO back 1.5. Tried to hold the stick, but a step back and an arm circle.
Bryant (LSU): Front double tuck. Jump lunge. Switch leap, switch leap full. LOSO for the backward skill requirement. Front aerial. 9.700 to win… Front lay, Rudi. Easy money. ROAR. 9.950
Magnelli (UK): BHS LOSO LOSO. A little lean. Switch leap, straddle 1/4. Front aerial. Right on. Gainer pike. Stuck with a grin.
Kiya Johnson (LSU): FTDT. Little correction of the feet. Great height. Back 1.5 to front lay. Stuck. I love seeing her have fun with the dance this year. Switch half, popa is stunning. Double pike. Jaw on the floor. PERIODT. Stop it right now. 10.000. I accept.
Final: LSU 198.125, Kentucky 197.600
*Second* 198 of any team this season? (Behind Ball State’s program record performance earlier this evening) Have yourself a day, LSU. The Tigers put it all together tonight, hitting beam and ending the meet with a highlight 10.0 from Kiya Johnson on floor. Kentucky went 197.600 with a sub-normal beam score… Watch out for this team this season. They are only going to get better as the year goes on.
AA Winner: Haleigh Bryant (LSU), 39.825
VT Winner: Haleigh Bryant (LSU), 9.975
UB Winner: Haleigh Bryant (LSU), 10.000
BB Winner: Raena Worley (UK), 9.925
FX Winner: Kiya Johnson (LSU), 10.000
READ THIS NEXT: Judge’s Inquiry: Taking Another Look at 9.975s – Which Judge Was Right?
Live Blog by Tavia Smith
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