re: Remove

Btw preseason rankings are out, LSU is ranked #4

2019 Preseason Coaches’ Poll
December 10, 2018

Rank, Team, Points(First-Place Votes)
1. UCLA (1,961 points) (20 first place votes)
2. Oklahoma (1,959 points) (25 first place votes)
3. Florida (1,946 points) (9 first place votes)
4. LSU (1,891 points) (2 first place votes)
5. Utah (1,783 points)
6. Alabama (1,672 points)
7. Georgia (1,585 points) (1 first place vote)
8. California (1,526 points)
9. Michigan (1,517 points)
10. Kentucky (1,481 points)


Georgia with a first place vote?

Thought 101 went really well

Vaulting was about what I expected, the landings will come eventually. LSU was missing Kelley and Ferrer who will be full time starters by the end of the season. I though Edwards block is much better off the table, she got more distance. Ruby got a bad block off the table. Not sure why its all of a sudden an issue as of late.

Bars was great, everyone is trying to find the landings. The handstands were all pretty strong, some of the last handstands before the dismount should improve. Nice to see Dean handle the nerves and getting out there. Just needs to lock in on one of the handstands and clean up the double layout, but it was not bad at all. Ferrer and Dean are the ones who should see significant reps for this 2nd spot.

Beam honestly looked great and much better than I anticipated. Desiderio was phenomenal and looked comfortable. Dean held her nerves together well aside for one small miscue, everything else was very solid, it will improve the more she is out there. Keep in mind, Dean hasn't competed in front of a live crowd in like 3 years! Durante should be a mainstay, she is cool as a cucumber and does it all well.

Floor was interesting. I thought Ruby absolutely killed that routine. That double full was spot on. Desiderio was strong, I like her music. Edwards looks great as well, would not be surprised to see her lead off. Nice for Kelley to get back out there, she handled it well. Ferrer will be inserted into this lineup at some point. Campbell's routine was terrific, routines like that will score very big all season

I really like what this sophomore class and Ferrer can add to this team this season. Should be a great one.

I am not a fan of any floor music except for Edwards. I really liked hers. I feel they are at a good place on all routines that was showcased.

I do not like the format for Gym 101 now. I rather how it was done when it was first started. We saw more routines back then and we also saw scores. I would like to see scores just to see where they are at the moment.

But it was great seeing the team perform.

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I am not a fan of any floor music except for Edwards. I really liked hers. I feel they are at a good place on all routines that was showcased.

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I actually like Ruby's floor music and the choreography.

Disappointed they didn't put out Campbell on floor as well, she has a nice routine.


Its very encouraging seeing beam being so solid at this point. Probably the most complete event all of yesterday for sure.


I was a bit disappointed in the music for Finnegan though. I usually never ever complain of music choices either.


Kelley is not going to be back for her 5th years btw, she will finish it out with the other seniors this year.

It's neat seeing everyone's preference for music. I absolutely loved Finnegan's new floor routine and music. It's different for her, but she sold it. Ruby's routine is so much better than the last two years. I wish Edwards could be a mainstay on floor just because her adorableness is just my favorite! I can't wait to see Ferrer's routine. ACK does such a great job with choreography. I think floor will probably be the strongest event for the team this year.

I can't believe how much bigger Finnegan's vault is this year. Edwards seems even larger as well. I hope they can eventually add another 10 vault from McKenna or Ferrer.

I was very happy to see Bridget & Durante work through the nerves of beam to stay on. I thought the entire beam team did a great job. I do worry about the pausing with Dean, Durante, and Edney. I hate that has to be a worry this year!

On McKenna.. I wonder if that's a definite or still a wait and see. She could certainly decide at the end of the season that she just isn't quite ready for it to all end yet. If she does go, that would leave an open scholarship. I wonder if they are trying to find a new recruit to come in with Kai, Johnson, and Smith.

Everyone is gonna love Ferrer's routine, its very powerful

Vaults do seem bigger this year, LSU sure as hell won't get deductions for lack of amplitude or distance. Ferrer will be a mainstay in this group.

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I was very happy to see Bridget & Durante work through the nerves of beam to stay on. I thought the entire beam team did a great job. I do worry about the pausing with Dean, Durante, and Edney. I hate that has to be a worry this year!

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I think it will get better the more both are out there. This is their first beam routine since their JO careers. Its gonna be touch and go at first but both looked confident in everything they did was good to see. Its night and day compared to Cannamela or Kirby's routine

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I wonder if they are trying to find a new recruit to come in with Kai, Johnson, and Smith.

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McKenna has already confirmed this season is it so the coaches are planning around that for the following year.

Adding a transfer is not out of the possibility. Most the big time recruits have signed already unless they elect to bring in another kid early. As far as I am aware LSU will have 4 scholarships open after this season is over.

I am not sure what is exactly available when it comes to international elites.

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Who are the girls presently committed for next year??

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Next season we have Kiya Johnson, Kai Rivers and Caitlin Smith coming in.

Kiya is a 2020 girl who is coming a year early but she is a big time recruit who won a national title in the all around this past season. She is an immediate impact on every event

Kai comes from up north, she is a big time all arounder as well who is immediate impact as well.

Actually Kai and Kiya IMO will probably upgrade LSU's vaulting with 1 1/2 vaults. Their bars are both very very good. Both are elite on floor. Kai has work to do on beam but she isn't bad. Kiya will probably slide into the lineup. Texas Dream girls are very sound on the beam.

Both Kai and Kiya will be used in like 3 or 4 events next season. LSU will be very young next season but the talent will be there, will just need time to gel like Finnegan, Kelley and Priessman when they were freshmen. Both have ability to put up 9.9 + scores on every apparatus.

Caitlin Smith is a former elite who is from California who should mainly be used on bars and beam, though she has a decent full on vault. She has been stricken with injuries over the last two years. She may need some time before she contributes but it all depends how her training goes over the next year.

Its a top 5 class


LSU's 2020 class is ridiculous, will prob be ranked the #1 class, especially after possibly adding Sierra Ballard to it

Thanks as always. Hope all is well for you.
Really enjoyed 101 last night. Excited for the Season.

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The gymternet reported Annie Beard committed to Oklahoma-any insights into why? I thought she was a good shot for LSU and doesn’t her dad still live in Louisiana?

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I have not heard that at all

She did visit OU though.

Gymternet might have jumped the gun on this one...

The tweet was removed as well. She visited OU, have not heard anything about a commitment.