The regular season is finally checked off! And look who’s rolling into the 2025 SEC Gymnastics Championships like they own the place! LSU isn’t just showing up; they’re showing out. With all nine SEC teams ranked in the nation’s top 25, this wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. But guess what? The Tigers, under the guidance of Coach Jay Clark, did what Tigers do! For the third time in program history, No. 2 LSU (11-2, 7-1 SEC) locked down the SEC Regular Season title after a rock-solid 198.200-197.550 win over No. 14 Auburn. But wait! They’re not alone!
No. 1 Oklahoma also wrapped up the season with a 7-1 record, meaning they’re splitting the crown. But LSU’s 198.200? That was their second-highest road score in program history, only behind last year’s 198.425 at the Podium Challenge. Not too shabby, huh? And if you think head coach Jay Clark wasn’t fired up about it, think again. “I don’t think there’s any question that was our best road performance,” Jay Clark said, making it clear his team had delivered.
The man behind the Queens in Purple and Gold was just as happy as his girls. He said, “Ever since Arkansas, I’ve challenged them to keep improving on the road, and they’ve done it. That meet was every bit worthy of that score.” Now, the regular season might not have gone exactly his way, but Clark ain’t too down. Instead, he says, “We had a great regular season, and now we can say that we’re champions. We completed that phase of our season, and now we’re onto the grind of the postseason.”
Now, remember how things started? LSU’s first SEC road meet against Arkansas wasn’t exactly a highlight reel. In fact, it was a wake-up call and the biggest challenge. At that time, the No. 2 Tigers walked into Bud Walton Arena, ready to handle business, but instead, they got tripped up in a 196.875-196.600 loss to No. 14 Arkansas. But here’s where it gets interesting—after that loss, LSU didn’t mope.
Nope, they doubled down. They promised they wouldn’t let another road meet slip through their fingers, and look where they are now—SEC regular-season champs. So yeah, they’ve backed up every word with action. But let’s talk about the elephant in the room or, rather, the Tiger missing from the lineup. Olivia Dunne remained out of the competition area. Why?
The day before the competition, she gave everyone the surprise that a severe knee injury kept her from participating. Ouch. Even the extent of her injury took Coach Clark by surprise. The coach, Jay Clark, explained, “It’s about her pain. It’s an unusual injury—I had to look it up. I didn’t even know what the retinaculum in the knee was.” But did Livvy’s knee injury create a setback for the LSU team?
Not a chance of that. No matter her presence or absence, the Tigers built their dominance. The sole question remains unanswered: Who stole the show in her absence?
With Jay Clark’s guidance, LSU leaves no stone unturned
With the guidance of Jay Clark, LSU did record-breaking good. Their 198.200 was the second-highest road score in program history. And if that wasn’t enough, freshman Kailin Chio decided to steal the spotlight with a perfect 10.00 on vault. Chio took vault, and Haleigh Bryant practically owned the night with wins on bars, beam, and the all-around (hello, 39.775).
Not to mention, Aleah Finnegan made sure the floor was hers with a 9.975. The Tigers came out swinging from the start, posting a 49.600 on bars in the first rotation. Then, vault? Just as electric, with Chio’s perfect 10 capping off a 49.575 team score. By the halfway mark, LSU led 99.175-98.825, and they weren’t about to slow down.
The floor was a show, with Finnegan’s near-perfect 9.975 leading the charge, pushing LSU’s total to 148.825 before the final rotation. Beam wrapped things up in style, with Bryant sealing the all-around win with a 9.950. LSU achieved their third consecutive scoring total exceeding 198.000 beyond what they had once accomplished in the regular season.
Now, the real test looms: the 2025 SEC Championships on March 22. The team holds the position of No. 2, so can they win the ultimate prize?
The post Jay Clark Sends Strong Message to Olivia Dunne and Co After Big Win As LSU Coach Points Biggest Change appeared first on EssentiallySports.
