Gymnastics fall update thread (10/18) (Yes, TLDR) (Yes, Pics Included)

LSU has been having official structured practice since about a month ago. The team has looked really really good this fall and is in phenomenal shape in terms of being healthy. Last years quad, almost 70-80% of the team were crippled with injuries going into the fall. The health has been a big reason we've seen a lot of growth and development across the board.

Vault

-LSU returns the core here 5/6 routines minus Hambrick. LSU has been looking very improved in this areas so far. Sarah Edwards 1 1/2 vault continues to evolve into something better, she is finally cleaning up on her landings. She should be a consistent 9.9+ scorer on the vault.

-Lexie Priessman is expected to play a role on vault this coming year unless injuries get in the way. The goal is the 1 1/2. That is what she has been training, giving LSU another 10.0 vault.

-Mckenna Kelley new vault is looking very good strong right now. As she continues to get more reps her landings will continue to improve. She is a legit contender for a vault spot this season.

-Ashlyn Kirby and D'Antonio though only competing a full on vault have showcased very clean and consistent vaults. Kirby is very powerful, a 1 1/2 IMO isn't out of the question in the future.

Bars

-LSU returns 5/6 routines here, should be just as good if not better this coming season. There is a lot of competition for that last spot, mainly between Bridget Dean, Reagan Campbell, Ashlyn Kirby and Ferrer.

-Dean will be given opportunities early on, she has great handstands and is consistent for the most part. Her technique will be scored well.

-Kirby is improved, although I personally think LSU has better options in front of her. She needs to clean up some of her handstands and get more consistency from her transition from high to low bar, which killed her last season.

-Durante is locking in and will have a much more consistent dismount. She will likely continue to stay in the lead off spot but will move down the lineup once Priessman and Finnegan leave.

Beam

-This event is obviously the story for LSU's 2019 season and will determine if LSU can get over the hump for a title this year. Losing the first two people in the lineup is a pretty big loss.

-The plan right now is to move Desiderio to the lead off and build around that. She is reliable and pretty consistent.

-Bridget Dean and Rebecca D'Antonio has stood out on this event and should be in serious contention for a possible spot.

-I am still not sold on Kirby and Cannamela. Kelley is not a traditional beamer but is crisp and precise with all her skills.

Floor

-Mckenna looks phenomenal right now on floor, will likely anchor. Her skills are still very big

-Edwards has been working a big double layout, she is improving tremendously. Someone to look out for.

-Campbell is someone LSU will look to try to get onto floor, she has a really nice floor routine with great leaps and feet.

-D'Antonio has a gigantic double Arabian that has been very impressive. Loads of potential.


One person I have not really included in the events is Bailey Ferrer who comes in December. LSU expects this true freshmen to step in on 3 events as a major contributor. IMO the bars spot in the lineup is hers to lose. She should be a main stay on floor too, she has a big double Arabian. Though she still trains a full in. She also brings in a big 10.0 Vault. This is a name fans will know very very well early on. She was a big time recruit for a reason.

LSU is projected to be ranked in the top 4. LSU is the favorite along side with Florida to win the SEC. SEC Championships is in Nola this year too. LSU will also host meets this post season.