FIL-AMERICAN Paris Olympian Aleah Finnegan made an impact for the Louisiana State University Tigers as they prevailed over George Washington University, 198.125-195.475, over the weekend inside the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge.
Finnegan scored in the second and third rotations for the Tigers, who now have a 9-2 win-loss record in the overall standings of the NCAA Division 1 gymnastics’ meet at the end of their stint in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League.
Known as an all-around specialist, the 5’4” Finnegan once again came up with key scores in the Podium Challenge meet, as the Tigers got season-high grades, the highest by any team in the country this season.
With the win, LSU is closing in on yet another title defense in the coming NCAA national championships, with Finnegan defending her national individual floor exercise championship.
The Tigers got a good start in the vault, with freshman Lexi Zeiss leading with a 9.825, followed by Finnegan as she posted a 9.825 in second spot ahead of sophomore Amari Drayton (9.85).
It was senior Haleigh Bryant, whose mark counted at 9.95, to help bring LSU’s opening rotation score to a 49.325.
In the third rotation, Finnegan hit a 9.85 in spot three, before Kailin Chio posted a 9.95 in fourth spot to keep it rolling, while sophomore Konnor McClain matched Chio with a season-high 9.95 in spot five, helping put LSU’s total in their turn at 49.675.
LSU swept all five event titles on the night, with Bryant taking the vault with a 9.950. The bars were shared by sophomore Konnor McClain and freshman Kailin Chio with their 9.950s, while the beam was also taken by Chio’s 9.950.
“We accomplished a lot tonight. It was fantastic. I couldn’t have asked more from the kids that went in tonight. It was by far our most complete performance of the year,” said coach Jay Clark.
It was also LSU’s third-highest road score away from the Pete Maravich Assembly Center during the regular season.
Individually, Bryant’s all-around title was her first of the season and the 31st of her collegiate career, extending her lead as the LSU Gymnast with the most career all-around titles.