“No regrets. Excited for what’s next,” Haleigh Bryant wrote on X. Words that carried the weight of heartbreak and resilience all at once. Just moments after the LSU gymnastics team’s crushing semifinal exit from the NCAA Championships, the 2024 NCAA All-Around Champion stood tall. Not in celebration, but in reflection. LSU carried so much promise, and 23-year-old Haleigh Bryant came back for one final ride, defying injury and expectations to help her team go back-to-back—but it all ended differently than they had hoped. But Bryant has something to say!

When asked in the

post-meet press conference a day ago about how she feels about her journey as a gymnast at LSU, Haleigh Bryant said, “I don’t know where to start. I feel like it’s been nothing I would have imagined.” And truly, there’s no legacy quite like hers. A career filled with brilliance. 18 perfect 10s (most in LSU), 27 All-America honors (most in LSU), and the rare, coveted ‘gym slam’ are just a few reasons why Bryant will go down as one of the best ever in LSU history.

Bryant, reflecting on her unexpected journey, further added,

“If you would have asked me, however many years ago, what I would accomplish at LSU, it would probably be to compete one time and just be here with this team, and I think just getting the opportunity the past five years to get to the sport with the best people was just so, so special.” Though the season didn’t end with a fairytale finish, Bryant emphasized that what defined this gymnastics team was their relentless spirit. And what she has done for the team is remarkable!

A five-year cornerstone of the program, Bryant’s resume sparkles with individual titles and team triumphs, including anchoring LSU’s first-ever national championship win last season. Even in the sting of defeat, her pride in what they built spoke louder than the final score. LSU gave it everything they had, posting a strong 197.5250 in the NCAA championship semifinals, but it just wasn’t enough to surpass UCLA and Utah, who edged them out for the final spots.

“And I couldn’t have asked for a better five years… I’m just truly honored to have worn the purple and gold for five years,” Haleigh Bryant said, her voice steady but heavy with emotion, barely controlling her tears. For Bryant, the heartbreak will eventually fade, but the legacy built on grit, passion, and five unforgettable years will always remain. And what a legacy it is. Haleigh Bryant had one of the most decorated careers in NCAA history. Her dream 2024 season saw her clinch the NCAA All-Around Championship, cementing her as one of the biggest names in college gymnastics.

Still, the heartbreak hit like a vault gone wrong. LSU wasn’t just expected to make the finals, but they were supposed to own them.

The LSU gymnastics team fell short of the Finals despite a fight worth remembering

On Thursday night, dreams collided with reality, and the purple-and-gold faithful were left stunned in silence. LSU had clawed its way through a season of soaring highs, dominating rivals, and carrying the weight of national expectations. But under the bright lights of Fort Worth, the Tigers’ championship hopes slipped through their fingers.

The Tigers, though, didn’t go down without a fight. First came the uneven bars, and Lexi Zessi topped the charts with 9.900. She was followed by Konnor McClain and Haleigh Bryant’s 9.8750. The Tigers submitted a total score of 49.3250 in the bars. The next rotation was Beams. Konnor McClain registered the highest in the event by scoring a solid 9.900. Whereas Sierra Ballard, Kailin Chio, and Haleigh Bryant tied with the score of 9.8750. And after the second rotation, LSU stood with 98.6500.

The third rotation was the floor exercise. On the mats,  Aleah Finnegan shone by scoring 9.9375. Her scores were complemented by Amari Drayton’s 9.900 and Haleigh Bryant’s 9.9125. Thus, at the end of the third rotation, LSU stood at 148.1500. Next came the vault. Kailin Chio delivered a sensational 9.975 on vault to clinch the individual national title, and Haleigh Bryant followed with a solid 9.900. And it helped LSU notch a 49.375 on vault.

Thus, the Tigers may have fallen on Thursday, but not after giving a strong fight and promising an even stronger comeback!