re: Remove

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Do you think any of the 2019 girls will be able to fill the seniors roles?

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I think no matter who you bring in, it will be impossible to replace leadership of certain kids and the tangibles Finnegan brought to this program. Her excellence and consistency was a game changer and she Brought a sense of ease to the rest of the team. Less pressure when you have someone like Finnegan right there to pick you up if you mess up.

That said, Kai and Kiya are probably the best overall recruits LSU has had since that monster 2015 class (this years seniors). Ruby was never really a "clean" gymnast and consistent, something NCAA level is all about, so it took her 3 years to find that., though her international experience and high level of difficulty was a bonus for us. Edney was always a big time recruit but her inability to maintain toe point is what has always plagued her and at this level.

I would consider Kiya and Kai to be Edney clones, but with much higher potentials. Reason is they both are much more "technically sound" gymnasts. Their toe points, straight arms (bars) and leaps are all much better than Edney which will allow their scores to climb much higher. This is not a knock on Edney, because she is a superb gymnast and a game changer. Just explaining the reasoning on why I believe there is a lot to be excited about with Kai and Kiya. Kai definitely is someone good enough to be LSU's bars anchor next year.

I fully expect Kiya and Kai to be used immediately on every event. I think the first month or two, they might have a few growing pains but by the end of the years will ultimately be the major strengths of the team next year. Both girls can be 9.9+ on every event, although I am a little more skeptical on kai's beam (it has improved a lot though).

As for the other 2019 girls, Goodrich is a project at this point. She has some serious potential with her tumbling but she has issues she needs to work out with her foot work and leaps.

Caitlin is a very different story. I hope I am wrong but I have had major doubts she will ever contribute to LSU. She has not trained or competed consistently the last 3 years. It shows in her routines. She has serious potential as a bar worker. She is actually pretty good on this event when she was training consistently. Beam has a lot of potential but she has never exhibited confidence as a beam worker which is probably the #1 thing you need on beam.