LSU Gymnastics Delivers Statement Win Over Auburn with Season-Best Performance
The LSU Tigers didn’t just win Friday night-they made a statement.
In front of a roaring home crowd of 11,171 fans, the No. 2-ranked LSU gymnastics squad put together its most complete performance of the season, posting a massive 198.325-196.825 victory over No. 17 Auburn. That score marks the fifth-highest in LSU program history, and it came at the perfect time as the Tigers begin their push into NQS territory.
This meet had all the makings of a classic SEC showdown, but Auburn was dealt a tough blow before it even began. Star gymnast Sophia Bell suffered a potentially season-ending injury during warmups, taking away one of the Tigers’ top competitors. Still, LSU came out locked in from the start-and never let up.
Rotation 1: Vault Sets the Tone
LSU 49.550 - Auburn 49.000
LSU wasted no time setting the tone on vault, notching their highest vault score of the season for the third consecutive meet. The lineup was sharp, powerful, and precise-exactly what you want to see this deep into the season.
Lexi Zeiss led off with a clean Yurchenko 1.5 that scored a 9.850. Victoria Roberts followed with a front pike half that she stuck cold for a 9.875, clearly emotional after the landing. Courtney Blackson had a tough time on her vault, scoring a 9.625, but things picked right back up from there.
Kaliya Lincoln nearly stuck her Y1.5 and was rewarded with a 9.950. Amari Drayton followed with a strong vault of her own, earning a 9.900 despite a small hop forward.
Then came Kailin Chio, who continues to be a rock in this lineup. She drilled her Y1.5 and landed it with textbook precision for a 9.975.
If she cleans up her shoulder angle on the entry, she might start seeing 10s week in and week out-but even now, a near-automatic 9.975 is elite territory.
Auburn, meanwhile, struggled on bars. Their form was inconsistent, particularly on dismounts, and it showed in the scores.
Rotation 2: Bars Brilliance for LSU
LSU 99.125 - Auburn 98.175
Auburn managed a serviceable 49.175 on vault, but LSU’s bars lineup was nothing short of electric, notching a new season high in the event.
Lexi Zeiss opened things up with a solid 9.875. Ashley Cowan, returning to the lineup, matched that score in her comeback performance. Madison Ulrich continued her consistent season with a 9.900, and Kailin Chio followed with a crisp routine that earned a 9.925-the lowest score she’d post all night.
Nina Ballou made her debut on bars and delivered in a big way, scoring a 9.900 on a poised, confident routine. Then Konnor McClain capped off the rotation with what looked like a flawless set.
She caught her Church release cleanly and hit every handstand, earning a 9.975. It was her first standout bars routine of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Rotation 3: Beam Holds Steady
LSU 148.550 - Auburn 147.425
Auburn started to find their rhythm on floor, putting up a 49.250 and showing signs of life. LSU, meanwhile, stayed steady on beam with a 49.425 that kept them comfortably in control.
Lexi Zeiss led off beam for the first time and handled the pressure well, scoring a 9.850. Emily Innes made her LSU beam debut and posted a 9.825. Amari Drayton followed with a confident set that earned her a 9.900, and Kaliya Lincoln kept the momentum going with a 9.875.
Konnor McClain, however, had a tough go. She wobbled throughout and missed a key connection, resulting in a 9.675 on a downgraded 9.800 start value.
That stumble could’ve opened the door, but Kailin Chio slammed it shut. Her routine was clinical, composed, and beautifully executed-good for another 9.975.
Rotation 4: Floor Fireworks
Final: LSU 198.325 - Auburn 196.825
Auburn finished strong on beam, putting up a season-best 49.400. But LSU saved their best for last-tying the program record on floor with a jaw-dropping 49.775.
Emily Innes kicked things off with a 9.925, showing improved landings and control. Nina Ballou matched her with a 9.925 of her own, and Kylie Coen followed with another 9.925 on a clean, dynamic routine.
Amari Drayton turned up the heat with a 9.950, setting the stage for Kailin Chio’s moment.
Chio delivered a floor routine that was, in a word, perfect. Her landings were stuck, her tumbling was crisp, and her performance quality was elite.
The crowd erupted when the 10.0 was flashed-her first on floor, and one that was well-earned. There was a bit of confusion on the broadcast when one judge’s score was initially entered incorrectly, but make no mistake: it was always a 10.
Kaliya Lincoln closed out the night with a 9.975, putting an exclamation point on LSU’s best meet of the year.
Takeaways: LSU Finds Its Groove
This was the meet LSU fans had been waiting for. The Tigers were engaged, focused, and firing on all cylinders across all four events.
Even with a couple of routines that didn’t go perfectly, the team never lost its edge. That kind of resilience and consistency is what separates contenders from champions.
Konnor McClain continues to shine on bars, capturing her ninth career title in the event and 16th overall. Beam remains a bit of a concern for her, but the talent is there-now it’s about finding that rhythm again.
The star of the night, though, was Kailin Chio. She was everywhere, winning the vault, beam, floor, and all-around titles.
That brings her career totals to 11 vault titles, nine on beam, five on floor, and 11 all-around crowns. She’s now tied for 10th in LSU history in career all-around titles and ranks 17th all-time in individual titles.
Her 39.875 all-around score was the second-highest in program history, trailing only Haleigh Bryant’s 39.925 at the 2024 Podium Challenge.
What’s Next: A Showdown in Norman
LSU now heads into the first week of NQS ranked No. 2 in the nation-and their next meet is a blockbuster. The Tigers travel to face No. 1 Oklahoma in what could be one of the biggest regular-season matchups in SEC gymnastics history.
Oklahoma just pulled off a historic win in Gainesville, defeating Florida on the road for the first time in program history. The Sooners haven’t lost at home since 2014.
But here’s the twist: the last team to beat Oklahoma in Norman? LSU.
If the Tigers bring the same focus and fire they showed against Auburn, we could be in for an instant classic.