Alabama at LSU

Recap

The Big Storyline: LSU broke 198 for the first time in 2022 to overtake the visiting Crimson Tide. Both teams have put their early season struggles firmly behind them; the lowest beam score of the competition was a 9.850 from LSU’s Kai Rivers, and neither team counted a score below 9.800. 

Implications: Florida remains at the top of the SEC for now but will face stiff competition for the conference championship title. LSU and Alabama—ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the SEC—will need to maintain this level to retain their coveted spots in the evening session of the conference championship over Missouri or Kentucky. 

Records: Kiya Johnson earned her seventh career perfect 10 and second on beam. Teammate Haleigh Bryant scored a career high 9.950 on beam. 

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 8 Alabama at No. 5 LSU

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: Alabama may “only” be ranked fourth in the SEC, but don’t forget it upset LSU and Florida to take the conference title last season (Jay Clark and the Tigers certainly haven’t). These teams are notorious for rising to the occasion, so this should be a gritty, hard-fought battle. 

What We’re Watching: Both teams will presumably be missing key contributors this week: Alabama’s Makarri Doggette suffered an unspecified sprain during her floor routine last week while classmate Mati Waligora was MIA (not word on if she was dealing with an illness, injury or simply resting). LSU’s Haleigh Bryant pulled out of beam after a painful landing on floor at Florida and Alyona Shchennikova suffered a knee injury during training. With as many as eight routines for each team to replace, how will lineups be affected? LSU has the added pressure of making sure it has enough gymnasts in competition form for its second meet of the weekend against Missouri and Arkansas.