LSU Gymnastics registers record-high attendance in thrilling SEC home opener against Florida Gators

LSU Gymnastics recorded the first sell-out of the year during their narrow win in the SEC home opener against Florida Gators on Saturday. The Lady Tigers won their second consecutive meet of the season by 197.550-197.450.

The Lady Tigers vs Gators is always a highly anticipated clash, and it didn't disappoint on January 17 as 13,515 fans flooded the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge. It marked LSU's first sell-out of the year and the third-largest attendance in the program's history.

"The PMAC is a magical place ✨ Tiger Nation showed out last night and recorded our first sell out of the year and the third largest attendance in program history," LSU Gymnastics wrote on Instagram.

The Lady Tigers were led by yet another impressive all-around performance from senior Aleah Finnegan, who opened the session with a 9.950 on vault. Freshman standout Kailin Chio and fifth-year seniors Haleigh Bryant and Olivia Dunnwe followed suit as LSU edged out the Gators by 0.1 in their home season opener.

Head coach Jay Clark was proud of the team's win and acknowledged that LSU vs Florida is always a close contest. Speaking during a post-match interview, he said (as quoted by lsureveille.com):

"It seems like Florida Meet always comes down to a tenth or a tenth and a half, no matter whether it's here or in Gainesville. I mean, that's a great team over there. We knew they would come in here and perform well, as they always do, and just proud of the team's fight tonight."

The Lady Tigers will now take on Arkansas Razorbacks in their next meet on January 24 in Fayetteville.

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LSU head coach Jay Clark explains reason behind Olivia Dunne only competing in one event against Florida Gators

2024 LSU Archive - Olivia Dunne in action (Source: Getty)

LSU Gymnastics sensation Olivia Dunne only competed in the floor exercise during the team's SEC season opener victory against Florida Gators, scoring an impressive 9.875. Explaining the reason behind her absence in other events, head coach Jay Clark claimed it was a precautionary measure and to give some rest to the 22-year-old.

“Her kneecap kind of tracks a little funny when she’s doing a turning leap,” Clark said [as quoted by lsureveille.com].

Dunne competed on floor exercise and balance during the program's season-opening win against Iowa State and scored 9.875 and 9.825 respectively.

The national champion registered scores of 9.85 and 9.775 on floor and balance respectively at the Sprouts Farmers Collegiate Quad Meet and debuted the uneven bars with 9.725.