LSU’s Konnor McClain’s Full Return to the Mat Backed by Coach Clark Ahead of Regionals

Can a single moment of adversity define a champion, or does it take a relentless comeback to cement a legacy? For LSU gymnast Konnor McClain, the answer is unfolding in real time. Once sidelined by a devastating Achilles injury that crushed her 2024 Olympic dreams, McClain has turned whispers of doubt into a roar of anticipation. Now, as the 2025 NCAA Regionals draw near, she’s not just stepping back onto the mat—she’s poised to reclaim her place among the elite. With LSU head coach Jay Clark championing her every move, McClain’s full return promises to be a defining chapter for both the gymnast and the reigning national champion Tigers, setting the stage for a postseason that could rewrite the record books.

LSU’s Coach Jay Clark has been a pillar of support, cautiously optimistic about McClain’s progress. While talking to the LSU Tiger TV after the NCAA gymnastics selection show, he remarked about Konnor getting back on the floor. “We’re comfortable with everything that we have but certainly if Konnor is able to add something to that then that’s something we’ve got to consider.” Konnor McClain sustained an injury during a pre-Olympic meet in Hartford, Connecticut, when McClain tore her Achilles tendon warming up for a floor routine.

He further added, “If her body is telling her she’s in a good place and if she’s mentally ready to go and has those conversations with [the staff], I think it’s important that we always have options. More is better. I’m never going to shut somebody down in the name of what time of year it is, especially an athlete like Konnor McClain. If she’s able that will definitely be a consideration.” Her post-surgery prognosis was optimistic, but the timeline for recovery remained uncertain. Defying expectations, McClain’s determination propelled her forward. By early 2025, she was back competing on bars and beam in LSU’s season-opening win over Iowa State.

Mentally, McClain has transformed. “After my Achilles I sat in my room and said, ‘Let me change my attitude,” she told Nola.com. Supported by her teammates, she’s shifted from despair to determination—a mindset critical as Regionals approach in early April 2025. The 2025 NCAA Regionals, set for April 2-6, will see 36 teams compete across four sites: Salt Lake City, Seattle, Tuscaloosa, and University Park. While Konnor McClain is still limited to bars and beam in early meets like the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad on January 11, 2025, scoring a 9.925 on bars, her goal of returning as an all-rounder looms large.

LSU earned the No. 1 overall seed for the first time in program history and will compete in University Park, as announced on ‘X’ by @LSUgym on March 24, 2025. The top two teams from each regional advance to the national championships in Fort Worth, April 17-19. With Clark’s endorsement and fan excitement buzzing, McClain’s story of grit and recovery could lead LSU to another national title after being an anchor for LSU’s win in the SEC Championships

Freshman Konnor McClain posted a perfect 10 on the balance beam sparking a celebratory evening at the 2024 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships. LSU took home the SEC title by securing a season-best of 198.425, narrowly surpassing competitors such as Florida and Kentucky. McClain’s perfect routine earned her not only an individual SEC beam title but also helped guide the Tigers to their fifth conference championship under the direction of head coach Jay Clark.

McClain’s flawless 10—the night’s sole one—was on the beam, an apparatus where consistency is paramount. Her score thrilled the crowd of 9,878, one short of the SEC record attendance ten years ago. Clark lauded the team effort, stating, “It takes everybody,” a view shared by the performances of sophomores Ashley Cowan, KJ Johnson, and Kiya Johnson, who also won individual titles.

McClain, the 2022 U.S. national all-around champion, transferred her elite-level experience to the collegiate level with confidence. Her beam routine—featuring a seldom-seen full-twisting double back dismount—demonstrated her technical skill, developed over years of persevering through personal and physical setbacks, including back and hand surgeries in 2022. The SEC title was her first as a Tiger, and she added it to a freshman season already full of awards.