May 2024 was a bad time to be an LSU Gymnastics fan. Konnor McClain has faced injuries before, but none this heartbreaking. She had her sights set on making it to the 2024 U.S. Olympic team when she suffered a devastating blow. Last year in May, during a pre-Olympic meet in Hartford, Connecticut, a simple warm-up floor routine led to the heartbreaking accident- the 20-year-old tore her Achilles tendon. Although her Olympic aspirations were cut short (at least for then), the accident had nothing on McClain’s spirit and determination. She is just built different!

Konnor McClain’s glorious comeback has us all in awe. In LSU’s 197.300-194.100 season opener victory against Iowa State, the Nevada native sent a clear message through her anchored rotation of 9.80- she is BACK! In their second game against Sprouts Collegiate Quad McClain successfully posted a 9.925 to round out LSU’s score to 49.425 for the bars. In the LSU-Florida Gators showdown on January 17, the Nevada native proved her prowess on the mat- scoring a 9.925 in uneven bars! The January 17 face-off is also worth remembering for the LSU Tigers’ Wonder Woman leotards, the poster girl for which was none other than, drumrolls, Konnor McClain! Honestly, what can this 20-year-old not do?

Everyone is just as pumped for McClain’s return as us. All Things Gymnastics Podcast on their X handle highlighted Konnor McClain’s progress, stating, “At LSU’s intrasquad — of note, Konnor McClain did some tumbling on the hard floor. She looks like she could compete tomorrow tbh! Her comeback has been so impressive.” And honestly, we can’t agree more! The 2022 all-around and balance beam champion has already demonstrated her readiness by competing on the uneven bars and beam in LSU’s Gymnastics 101 exhibition meet in December. Not just that but her performance in season has been praiseworthy.

On her road to recovery, she has been performing consistently last season as well. She performed across beams, floors, and vault lineups in 15 meets for the Tigers last year. She finished the year with a season-high of 9.975 on the floor and perfect 10s on bars and beam as only a freshman. In addition, McClain was named to both the 2024 All-SEC Team and the 2024 SEC All-Freshman Team. Her beam score continues to improve, and she appears to be regaining her confidence with every routine.

So many months after the unfortunate accident, McClain delivered a standout performance, anchoring the team with a stellar 9.90 on the bars in LSU’s close 197.300-197.075 win against no. 14 Alabama. Widely considered one of the Tigers’ most talented gymnasts, Konnor McClain seems to be getting on track to return as an all-around competitor, but the road still seems long!

This NCAA season the Tigers have already had seven meets and the 2024 All-SEC Team Champion hasn’t made a debut on an apparatus other than the Beams and Bars and even on those apparatus she hasn’t been able to reach her 2024 season high. Last year, Konno McClain registered a perfect 10 on bars and beams but fans still await such perfection this season. It can also be because of new and stricter scoring rules. But, the all-around expert is yet to make her debut on the floor and vault. Her fans are waiting with bated breath.

As LSU continues its championship pursuit, McClain’s resurgence will be a crucial factor in its success. With her steady progress and unwavering drive, she is proving that setbacks don’t define champions, but comebacks do. This season LSU isn’t just dealing with Konnor’s injury but with many other gymnasts on the team as well!

Konnor McClain is not the only LSU gymnast battling injuries

The biggest showdown of the 2025 NCAA gymnastics season is about to happen. In collegiate gymnastics, No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 2 LSU are set to battle it out at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC). However, LSUs 2025 season seems to have been plagued by injuries so far. KJ Johnson suffered a sprained ankle against the Cyclones leading to her temporary retirement from the season’s first game. Along with her, Freshman Kailin Chio has been performing exceptionally well but she also came back from an illness recently.

Head coach Jay Clark is aware of the stakes, acknowledging that his team is focused on itself while the matchup remains intense. However, injuries have been a main concern for the Tigers this year. While Haleigh Bryant recovers from an elbow injury she is currently ruled out of uneven bars. Meanwhile, KJ Johnson is still dealing with a tender ankle, and sophomore Konnor McClain is working her way back after the Achilles injury. If the Tigers want a shot at the conference title, they must deliver this season’s best performance.

Despite the challenges, LSU has proven its resilience time and again. The team has continued to shine even in the face of adversity, and McClain’s steady progress is the beacon of hope. As she works her way back to peak form, the Tigers will need every ounce of their talent and determination to compete at the highest level. We are definitely rooting for these rockstars in purple! Are you? Let us know in the comments below!