The LSU Tigers‘ 2025 NCAA campaign started with a bang. The reigning national champions hosted Iowa State at the Maravich Center on Friday and trounced the visitors 197.300-194.100 to secure their first victory of the year. However, despite the massive victory, the absence of Haleigh Bryant left the fans wanting more. But for a veteran of the sport, whatever happens in Bryant’s final year at Baton Rouge, she has already established herself as an athlete who will go down in the history books.

Haleigh’s 2024 season was more than incredible. Posting 31 above-9.950 scores, Bryant was a driving force behind LSU’s historic NCAA win last season. However, her uncharacteristic fall of the beam at the Gymnastics 101 last month raised several concerns among fans. But that takes away nothing from what she has achieved, opines Olympic medalist Bridget Sloan.

2008 Olympian and 2009 world champion gymnast Sloan is one of the most revered names in the USA’s gymnastics circuit, and she believes Haleigh Bryant’s achievements speak for themselves. Before the Tigers locked horns with Iowa State in the season opener, Sloan was heard talking about why the LSU star will be forever remembered by the fans. In a video clip uploaded by SEC Network on X on January 3, the 9x NCAA gold medalist hailed Bryant’s supremacy.

“She’s one of those athletes that there will never be another Haleigh Bryant,” said the former Florida Gators star, as she expressed her heartbreak about being unable to witness Bryant’s prowess tonight. “She brings this athletic ability that is just so rare,” gushed Sloan about Haleigh’s talent. During last month’s Gymnastics 101, the LSU senior suffered a UCL strain on her elbow, which forced her to sit out tonight’s meet, but Sloan is optimistic that it won’t be too long before Bryant hops back on her duties in the coming weeks.

The accompanying video shows Bryant bringing out the best in her to rally behind her teammates ahead of the clash against Iowa State. While she couldn’t compete due to her physical condition, Haleigh made sure to supply the Tigers gymnasts with the support they needed to dish out thunderous performances. However, while her cheerleading skills weren’t in vain, fans can’t wait to see the LSU senior get back on the mat herself.

Haleigh Bryant has the fans on their toes

In the 2024 season, Bryant blitzed into a special club thanks to her stellar form. An average score of 9.900 ensured Haleigh’s dominance in the NCAA, and in March last year, while competing against Auburn, she added another feather to her cap. With a perfect 10.000 on the vault, the North Carolina native completed the coveted “gym slam,” a rare feat when a gymnast boasts a perfect 10 in all individual events at least once in their career. Naturally, the achievements created quite a ripple across the country, and fans could barely hold back their admiration.

Then, in April 2024, Bryant won the prestigious AAI Award, and her teammate Olivia Dunne took to social media to exclaim her pride. “Kid just won the Heisman of gymnastics,” wrote Livvy on her social media update, making it evident that Haleigh was a deserving candidate to win the award. When she went on to announce her return for one final year, the gymnastics connoisseurs were justifiably elated at the prospect of watching Bryant in action for one last time in the purple leotard. Are you also waiting with bated breath to see her return? Tell us when you think Haleigh Bryant will return to her natural habitat in the comments!