ATHENS, Ga. — The No. 2 LSU Gymnastics team (2-1-1) fell on the road against No. 8 Georgia (2-0) by a score of 197.200-196.850 on Friday night inside Stegeman Coliseum. It was Georgia’s first win over LSU since 2016.
LSU suffered its first loss of the season as Georgia secured a narrow victory in front of a home crowd.
- Georgia defeated LSU 197.200-196.850, marking their first win against the Tigers since 2016.
- LSU’s Kailin Chio won individual titles on vault and beam, and Madison Ulrich secured the all-around title.
- Konnor McClain tied for first on bars with a score of 9.950.
- LSU will return home next Friday to host Kentucky.
The Tigers started strong on bars, led by a 9.950 from Konnor McClain, bringing the team total to 49.375. LSU briefly held the lead as Georgia posted a 49.250 on vault. LSU then moved to vault, where Kailin Chio anchored with a team-high 9.925, but the team score of 49.075 wasn’t enough to maintain the advantage.
At the halfway point, LSU trailed Georgia 98.525 to 98.450. The Tigers struggled on floor, with a low score of 8.975 from McClain, and finished the rotation with a 48.950. LSU entered the final rotation trailing 147.725-147.400.
LSU finished strong on beam, posting a team score of 49.450, their best of the night. Amari Drayton delivered a career-best 9.925 in her first beam appearance, and Chio matched her career-high with a 9.950. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome Georgia’s lead.
Chio’s standout performance earned her outright victories on vault and beam. McClain tied for first on bars with her 9.950, and Ulrich claimed her first all-around title of her LSU career with a score of 39.275. Chio has now earned 27 career titles, with seven on vault and five on beam, while McClain has 15 titles, including eight on bars.
Why It Matters
This loss marks a significant setback for the No. 2 ranked LSU Gymnastics team, interrupting their previously undefeated season. While individual performances from Chio, McClain, and Ulrich were strong, the team’s struggles on floor exercise proved costly. The meet highlights the competitive nature of collegiate gymnastics, where consistency across all events is crucial for success. LSU will need to address the inconsistencies on floor as they prepare to host Kentucky next Friday, seeking to regain momentum and defend their ranking.
No. 2 LSU is back in action next Friday as they host Kentucky for their home opener in the PMAC on Friday, January 23 at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
