Defending champions LSU Tigers’ quest to ‘Protect the Crown’ is off to a great start against Iowa. Performing in front of a historic 12,324-strong crowd, the Tigers withstood the Iowa State Cyclones, beating them 197.300 to 194.100. “I felt really good about it,” coach Jay Clark said about the win. However, even amidst the celebration, Haleigh Bryant’s absence was unmissable.

Unfortunately, arguably the greatest gymnast in LSU’s history was unable to compete in the 2025 NCAA season opener at Baton Rouge. Thankfully, Coach Clark revealed that he felt hopeful about the 23-year-old, sidelined by an arm injury. “I mean, she feels good. And we’ve stepped up the activity a little bit in terms of her rehab process,” revealed Coach Clark. Yet, there’s more.

“She’s doing more with the arm, and testing it, and so far, so good. There’s been no negative response from anything,” explained the LSU Tigers’ head coach. However, despite the positive updates, fans will have to continue waiting to catch Haleigh Bryant in action. However, “I’m optimistic that it’ll be sooner than later.” Clark expressed with confidence.

The reason the 2024 SEC Gymnast of the Year is taking so long to heal is because of the nature of her injury. The defending NCAA all-around champion has injured the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). The ligament connects the upper arm bone with the forearm bone, and injuring means all upper skills are off limits for Bryant.

While ligaments are stronger than muscles, they also take much longer to heal. So despite Haleigh Bryant missing out on the season opener against Iowa, the LSU staff, including Coach Clark, is in no hurry, lest they aggravate the injury. “We’ve just got to be judicious in our process and make sure that we don’t go too fast,” said the gymnastics coach.

“Because a UCL in an elbow, you just don’t want to take a chance with that,” the gymnastics coach said about the 27-time All-American. So, despite making progress and being eager to return to the mat, neither Bryant’s doctors nor the LSU coach could mention any dates.

Why is Haleigh Bryant’s return so crucial?

“I keep waiting for updates myself. And I just don’t have a lot of detail to offer y’all,” Jay Clark said, concluding his discussion on Bryant. So it’s clear that everyone from the fans to the NCAA championship-winning coach is looking forward to having Bryant back in their corner. And why wouldn’t they? Bryant has often been the difference maker for LSU.

Becoming the NCAA All-Around Champion, Haleigh Bryant played a crucial role in LSU earning their first-ever national title. The Cornelius, N.C. native didn’t just perform for LSU during the NCAA Championships but was forced to be reckoned with all season. The six SEC Gymnast of the Week awards she earned in 2024 are proof of that consistency.

So getting Bryant back on the squad would be a massive boost for everyone at LSU. Thankfully, at least some of Coach Clark’s worries were abated during the Iowa match-up, as another key talent, Konnor McClain, made her return after suffering a brutal fall at the 2024 Core Hydration Classic. “I think she’s ready to go on bars and beam,” Clark said about the gymnast, and she excelled against Iowa on the beam.

Konnor McClain and Olivia Dunne both scored 9.825 on their respective balance beam routines, scoring 0.025 points higher than Iowa’s Lauren Thomas (9.800). Now, all that’s left is for Haleigh Bryant to come back and return the squad to full strength. However, getting the senior back on the 2025 active roster will be a waiting game.