Everything seemed to have fallen into place for the Tigers. Big scores? Check. Standout performances? Check. Yet another regular season title? Yes, that too. Yet just when LSU seemed to have been locked on to a perfect postseason, things seem to have gone awry. With the SEC postseason just around the corner, one of the key members of Coach Clark’s brigade might not be there at all. Huh, but who? Well, as it happens, it is Haleigh Bryant. But what happened to her?

Well, there have already been lingering issues regarding Bryant’s fitness throughout the season. The fifth-year returnee already missed the start of the season due to her elbow injury on December 16 in the Tigers’ Gymnastics 101 exhibition. Since then, head coach Jay Clark has given his full support to Bryant and it turns out the SEC 2024 champion showcased her resilience on the gymnastics mat.

Not to mention, her performance on Friday at Auburn led the LSU Tigers to the #2 rank. But still, it seems Clark is hinting at something that no Bryant fan wants to hear. According to Nola, Jay Clark acknowledged her progress, noting, “She’s still getting better.” He emphasized that Bryant’s journey back to all-around status has been gradual, stating, “In some ways, she’s still finding her rhythm. She’s not even to a midseason-type level yet.” 

But despite her impressive all-around win at Auburn, Bryant is still working her way back to peak form following her December injury. While she posted standout scores, her gradual return suggests there’s even more in store as she regains full strength. In a remarkable display of resilience, LSU’s Haleigh Bryant has been steadily reclaiming her elite form following her injury. But things are bound to be hard for her.

Despite the setback, Bryant showcased her prowess in a recent meet against Auburn, achieving a season-high 9.975 on the uneven bars and securing the all-around title with a score of 39.775. That’s not all; with that, Bryant has 103 career titles—third-most in LSU history. Amazing, isn’t it? But why is Bryant taking so long to recover? Well, because of the nature of Haleigh Bryant’s injury, things are not so smooth with her.

The 2024 SEC Gymnast of the Year suffered an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury in December. Basically, the ligament connects the forearm and upper arm bones, and that’s the reason she was not able to use her upper arm muscles. As Bryant is still in recovery mode and the sword is hanging over her SEC postseason, for now, LSU has managed to be at rank 2.

LSU managed to be #2

The road to securing the runner-up position wasn’t an easy one for the Tigers. Early in the season, injuries sidelined last year’s frontrunners, Bryant and Olivia Dunne, causing them to miss most of the season. But the team under Jay Clark wasn’t one to lose hope. The coach yet again proved why they are the defending champions. This was on best display this Friday as the #2 Tigers defeated #14 Auburn at the Neville Arena.

The Tigers ended their regular season with a season-high score of 198.200-197.550, led by Bryant, who won the all-around, and Kailin Chio, who recorded her first career 10.0 with a flawless vault routine. This victory showcases the team effort and LSU’s second-highest road score in program history. But Haleight Bryant wouldn’t allow the freshman to steal all the spotlight for the night.

No, senior Haleigh Bryant reminded everyone why she’s a force to be reckoned with by clinching the all-around title with a season-best 39.775. She nearly brushed perfection with a 9.975 on bars and a 9.950 on beam. And let’s not forget Filipino-American star Aleah Finnegan, who brought the house down on the floor, matching her season high with a dazzling 9.975.

It wasn’t just about the headliners, though—LSU’s depth was on full display across the board. With junior Ashley Cowan’s bars score of 9.900 and senior KJ Johnson and freshman Lexi Zeiss’s vault performance with scores of 9.875 and 9.900, respectively, LSU shined on March 14. Meanwhile, sophomore Konnor McClain delivered a rock-solid 9.900 on the beam to seal the deal for the Tigers.

Coach Jay Clark couldn’t have been prouder. “I was absolutely pleased all the way round,” he said, and rightfully so. This wasn’t just another meet—it was a statement. Ever since their showdown with Arkansas, Clark has pushed his team to step up on the road. And they’ve answered the call every single time. “That meet was every bit worthy of that score,” he added.

This seals LSU’s claim as a powerhouse heading into the postseason. With the momentum they’re building, it’s hard not to wonder—how much higher can they soar?