STATE COLLEGE, PA – The No. 1 nationally ranked and top-seeded LSU Gymnastics team showcased their exceptional talent by clinching victory at the 2025 Penn State Regional. The Tigers achieved an impressive score of 198.050 in the regional final held at Rec Hall on Saturday. This remarkable score marks a historic moment for the program, as it is the first time the Tigers have scored over 198 in both regional rounds. With this win, LSU has now claimed their 15th regional championship title, further solidifying their legacy in collegiate gymnastics.
The triumph at the Penn State Regional not only highlights the team's prowess but also secures their 34th NCAA Championship appearance overall and their third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Championships. Head coach Jay Clark expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, “There’s no complaints after scoring a 198. It was tough to get out of this thing, and we did what we needed to do to win and advance.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on "base hits" and acknowledged the need for improvement in preparation for the championship ahead.
In the regional final, the No. 1 LSU team outperformed several competitors, including No. 8 Michigan State (198.00), No. 9 Kentucky (197.625), and No. 16 Arkansas (197.325). This victory ensures LSU's place in the NCAA Semifinals. Notably, Michigan State achieved its best regional final finish under the current format, marking only their second appearance in the NCAA Championships since 1988.
Two remarkable Tigers earned individual titles during the competition. Senior Aleah Finnegan captured the floor title with a stunning score of 9.975 and also shared the beam title with a score of 9.950. Kailin Chio, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, matched Finnegan's beam score, showcasing the talent that LSU possesses. Both gymnasts' scores rank among the top individual event scores in LSU's history at a regional level.
LSU began the meet on the bars, where freshman Lexi Zeiss equaled her career-high with a score of 9.925. Following her, junior Ashley Cowan scored 9.875, and Chio added a 9.900. Finnegan and sophomore Konnor McClain both contributed scores of 9.850, while senior Haleigh Bryant anchored the rotation with a 9.900, leading to a team score of 49.450.
In the second rotation on beam, graduate student Sierra Ballard set the stage with a score of 9.900. This was followed by several career-high scores, including Kylie Coen with 9.925 and another 9.950 from Chio. Finnegan's 9.950 capped off a stellar team performance, bringing LSU's beam score to a program-high of 49.675 at an NCAA Regional.
Transitioning to the floor exercise, LSU continued their momentum with solid performances. Coen opened with a 9.850, followed by Ballard with 9.900, and McClain's return to the lineup featured a score of 9.900. Finnegan dazzled the crowd with a near-perfect routine, earning a 9.975, contributing to a floor score of 49.575, the second highest of the season for the Tigers.
In the final rotation on vault, KJ Johnson led with a score of 9.900, followed by Zeiss and Finnegan with scores of 9.825. Drayton contributed a 9.900, while Bryant closed the meet with another 9.900, leading to a rotation score of 49.350 and an overall total of 198.050.
LSU's score of 198.050 marks their sixth consecutive meet with a score of 198.000 or higher, establishing the longest streak in program history and the second longest in NCAA history. With this victory, Finnegan added two more event titles to her impressive total, bringing her career total to 43, including 17 on floor. Chio also continued to build her legacy, now holding 23 titles in her young career.
As LSU and Michigan State secure their spots in the NCAA Championships, they join other top teams such as UCLA and Utah. The remaining regional finals will determine the final four teams to complete the Elite Eight. The NCAA Championship Semifinals will take place on Thursday, April 27, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, where the top two teams from each session will compete for the national title. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN2 and ABC.
