LSU finishes as NCAA national women’s runner-up

FORT WORTH, Texas – The LSU gymnastics team concluded the 2019 season as the NCAA National Runner-Up to match the highest finish in school history after scoring a 197.825 in the first ever Four on the Floor Saturday night at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

Highest Finish in School History!!
Your Fighting Tigers score a 197.825 to finish as the NCAA National Runner-Up. #ForeverLSU pic.twitter.com/4yD3OPqAts

— LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) April 21, 2019

The Tigers fought off UCLA who finished in third with a 197.5375 and Denver in fourth with a 197.000. Oklahoma took the title with a 198.3375. LSU’s team score marked the third-highest at an NCAA Championship in school history.

“I could not have asked this team for a better performance,” LSU gymnastics head coach D-D Breaux said. “They outperformed themselves from the semifinal. We gave it all we had and there is nothing wrong with finishing second to a great Oklahoma team. I am taking a lot of pride in this second-place finish and great season.”

"There is nothing to regret because we had an amazing meet and an amazing year." pic.twitter.com/2GXOXSpxo6

— LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) April 21, 2019

Seniors Sarah Finnegan, McKenna Kelley, Lexie Priessman and Julianna Cannamela wrapped up their careers as the most dominant senior class in school history. The group finished their careers with 126 wins, the three highest finishes at NCAA championships and as three-time SEC champions.

The greatest four-year run in the history of this program. Thank you will never be enough. 💛💜 pic.twitter.com/2UnHDTItEX

— LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) April 21, 2019

In her final career performance, Finnegan scored a 39.7625 to finish in first. The all-around score marked the highest for a gymnast in school history. Finnegan scored a 9.9125 on vault and 9.95 on bars, beam and floor. The AAI award winner finished first overall on bars and floor. She wrapped up her career with 95 total titles to tie Rheagan Courville for the third most in school history. Her 49 individual titles this season set the school record.

The 🐐@sfinnegan37 finishes her career with the top all-around score in the 2019 Four on the Floor and the best at an NCAA meet in school history! pic.twitter.com/2mCtQBoGwR

— LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) April 21, 2019

Vault Opens with 49.3875
The Tigers opened with a ferocious start thanks to Finnegan’s 9.9125 in the leadoff. Kelley and Sarah Edwards also earned scores of 9.8875 in the third and fifth spots. Ruby Harrold and Cannamela scored a 9.8375. Kennedi Edney anchored the event with a 9.85.

Bars Finishes Strong to Move to Second
The Tigers’ bars lineup totaled a 49.4625 for the fourth-highest bars score at an NCAA championships meet in school history. Bailey Ferrer scored a 9.8375 in the second spot of the lineup and Harrold followed with a 9.875. Edney earned a 9.90 in the fourth spot. Priessman and Finnegan closed the event with a 9.90 and 9.95.

Beam Delivers to Hold Second Place
Christina Desiderio responded from her fall in the semifinal a day ago by opening the Tigers on beam with a 9.8875. Fellow sophomores Bridget Dean and Sami Durante also paced the squad with scores of 9.8625 and 9.875 respectively. Edney scored a 9.85 in the fourth spot and Reagan Campbell added a 9.8875. Finnegan closed her career on beam with a 9.95 for a 49.4625 on the event.

Floor Closes out Meet
The squad ended the night with a 49.525 to pass UCLA and finish second nationally. Harrold opened the rotation with a 9.8375 and Desiderio wrapped up her outstanding night with a 9.90. Priessman ended her career with a 9.875 and Edney followed with a 9.85. Finnegan closed out her evening with a 9.95 and Kelley anchored the meet with a 9.95.