Olivia Dunne is on the last leg of her glorious collegiate gymnastics career. Thus, a lot is riding for her during her final foray with the Tigers’ squad at the NCAA 2024 Championships. At such a vital juncture, the No. 3-ranked LSU gymnastics team encountered a major snag in their first meet of the season.

Counting their stars too quickly, the Tigers ennobled themselves as favorites for the Champion title only to face a major setback. A veteran tigress who had helped them win several competitions was thrown out of contention by a sudden injury.

Alyona Shchennikova’s withdrawal complicates LSU’s NCAA 2024 campaign

The Tigers battled against the Buckeyes in the first meet of the 2024 season and recorded a series of impressive scores. However, when faced with the balance beams challenge, LSU had to accept a significant deduction. Otherwise unstoppable on all the apparatuses, the LSU squad was missing a cog in their machinery of excellence. This deficiency was highlighted in an X post from Gymnastics Now that said, “LSU’s Alyona Shchennikova out indefinitely with lower leg injury”. Notwithstanding her pain, Alyona Shchennikova turned up at the PMAC to cheer for her teammates. Her lower left leg was in bandages and she needed a scooter to move about the stadium. But the dependable all-arounder did not allow that to hinder her supportive chants for the team.

Alyona Shchennikova was one of the many voices roaring the “Geaux Tigers” hymn to serenade the team. While LSU attained success against Ohio State on Friday, they are heading to the big four-team meet next. To continue the winning streak, the LSU gymnastics coach has gone back to the drawing board to ensure Alyona Shchennikova’s absence does not cause further disruption.

Jay Clark formulating strategy for success

LSU will face No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 4 Utah and No. 5 UCLA in the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad meet. This would be a vital meet in order to defend their No. 3 standings. Hence, before the Tigers begin their voyage from Louisiana to West Valley City, Utah on January 13, the team needs to prepare for the meet. Along those lines, LSU coach Jay Clark has begun strategizing a secret plan.

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In a recent interview with Nola.com, Clark said, “We will go back into the gym and correct some things and get better. We looked tight in spots. And we were going against a team with nothing to lose…All in all, I was happy with the start minus a few glaring things I saw”. His expert eye has spotted a talent in recent recruit Amari Drayton who trained with Simone Biles herself. Is he planning to substitute Alyona Shchennikova with Drayton or is there another strategy in mind?

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