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Konnor McClain and Kiya Johnson help LSU win its first women’s title
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) – Konnor McClain posted a rating of 9.9625 on beam – one among five LSU gymnasts with a rating of not less than 9.95 in the ultimate rotation – to help the Tigers win the first NCAA title in program history on Saturday.
LSU, which finished fourth last 12 months, edged Utah by .037 of some extent and led third-place California by .113 after three innings, but senior Sierra Ballard entered the fourth and final rotation with a career-best 9.950 – which was her only practice day. Savannah Schoenherr followed with a 9.3875, followed by McClain’s best rating of the day on beam. Kiya Johnson, Haleigh Bryant and Aleah Finnegan each scored a 9.950 to help the Tigers set a program record on beam with a rating of 49.7625 and seal the national championship for LSU with a complete rating of 198.2250.
Cal, making its first final appearance, finished second with a rating of 197.8500, 0.0500 ahead of third-place Utah. Florida, which was speculated to have a rebuilding 12 months without stars Trinity Thomas (graduating) and Kayla DiCello (training for the upcoming Paris Olympics), finished fourth. was fourth with 197.4375.
Bryant, who won the general individual title on Thursday with a rating of 39.7125, and Cal’s eMjae Frazier matched that number on Saturday to earn the very best individual rating within the team finals.
Bryant posted a team-best rating on the ground with a rating of 9.9375, and LSU finished the session with a rating of 49.6125 to take the lead after the first rotation. The Golden Bears were 0.1375 behind and Frazier was leading with a 9.9500 on beam.
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Amelie Morgan, Maile O’Keefe and Grace McCallum scored not less than 9.9 points on beam for Utah in Rotation 2 and passed Cal with a rating of 98.9125, .100 behind LSU.
All six Utah gymnasts posted a 9.9-plus on floor, with Abby Paulson, Maile O’Keefe and Jaylene Gilstrap each posting a 9.925 in Rotation 3, helping the Red Rocks overtake LSU and take first place with a 148.500, .037 ahead of the Tigers.