In a back-and-forth opening semifinal of the 2023 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships, the only rotation LSU led was the final one as the Tigers notched a 197.475 to qualify for their ninth NCAA team final in program history. They join fellow conference powerhouse Florida, whose 197.4000 qualified ahead of California’s 196.9125 and Denver’s 196.5000 after the two non-SEC programs both counted a fall.
It’s been an improbable journey to the Four on the Floor final for LSU, which hit a number of roadblocks this season that could’ve derailed it at any point. One of the Tigers’ most promising rosters has been riddled with injury—Kiya Johnson only competed in two meets, Cammy Hall was sidelined during preseason, and KJ Johnson missed over a month—illnesses took a toll midseason, LSU nearly didn’t advance after ties twice at regionals, and the team plane got stuck in mud taxiing to the runway to get to Fort Worth for championships.
“They are a special, special group,” said head coach Jay Clark after the semifinal win. “[They] came in here really, you know, kind of knowing we were playing with house money a little bit and glad to be here. We wanted to enjoy the ride, take it as far as we possibly could, compete hard, not get timid, and create some sense…
