NCAA Gymnastics News: Ahead of LSU vs Alabama, Tigers’ Head Coach Offers Health Update on Olympic Hopeful Konnor McClain

The LSU Gymnastics program has seen a well-rounded roster for 2024, proven well 2 months into the season. From 2021 vault champion Haleigh Bryant, Paris qualified Aleah Finnegan, to Olympic hopeful Konnor McClain, and numerous more, the team has soared through the NCAA gymnastics. Now as they head for a hopeful battle against Alabama, Coach Clark has ticked the health concern box off the list of odds for their essential athlete: McClain.

Konnor McClain has been a better force for LSU gymnastics since she joined the program in 2024. However, owing to her previously incurred back injury, the budding gymnast encountered a few issues heading into the NCAA gymnastics season. Talking of the last meet and McCalin’s involvement, Head Coach Clark has offered an update on the star gymnast.

Coach Clark provides ‘positive’ news about McClain

LSU Gymnastics head coach, Jay Clark, recently appeared for a media interview following the battle against Florida Gators. Speaking of the program, and Konnor’s strong return, HC touched upon the gymnast’s health status. “Physically she feels really good right now. At least the report I got this morning [states] there’s no ill-effect from the meet,” the HC answers. He further adds that the report was positive and McClain has been pulled back from the vault for NCAA gymnastics, speculating on the element to be the root of the problem.

Knonnor incurred the injury back in early 2023 which obliged surgery and a six-week break from training. With eyes set on the Olympics and a heart currently playing for LSU, the youngster has risen to brave through despite the occasional hiccups.

“I think Konnor’s in a better place physically than she has been for the last several weeks,” are the coach’s words. For the meet against the Gators, McClain put up 9.825 on bars, 9.950 on the beam, and 9.900 on the floor. The 18-year-old contributed well to LSU’s 197.950. However, the program fell short of Florida’s 198.150; recording only 3rd loss of the 2024 NCAA Gymnastics season. Nonetheless, going ahead, the roster aims to gain back the momentum.

LSU has more at stake in the next NCAA Gymnastics meet

LSU has just two more schedules on board for the regular season before the NCAA gymnastics top showdown takes precedence. Though the Tigers stand on No.2 for now, they will need to best their next rivals to get a shot at the SEC title. If Florida loses its next match against Kentucky and LSU reigns successfully, there will be a three-way tie at the top of the SEC standings between LSU, Florida, and Kentucky.

Also Read: NCAA Gymnastics News: ’12 Months’ After ACL Surgery, UCLA Athlete Achieves ‘Iconic’ High Score

However, for now, Coach Clark will be focusing on the match against Alabama and nothing more. The Tigers currently stand 2nd on vault, 5th on bars, 4th on beams, and 1st on the floor. With numbers, athletes, and a mindset firm in place, the Tigers hope to fetch an unprecedented NCAA gymnastics victory.