Scheduled to start at 6:00 pm, the second annual Purple and Gold Podium Challenge witnesses a fierce battle among the top NCAA gymnastic teams on the 8th of March 2024. The Raising Canes River Center hosted the event with No.14 Auburn, No. 42 Washington, No. 53 Texas Woman, and No. 3 LSU Tigers. The LSU Tigers were in the headlines last week for their commendable performance that led to a 198.325 – 197.325 win over Alabama. So, encouraged by their last experience, the LSU Tigers have delivered their similar best in the Podium Challenge as well.
One of the LSU Tigers has made a spectacular mark in the season embarking a season-high during the annual Purple and Gold Podium Challenge. Though her magnificent display on the floor and beam could not be witnessed by the gymnastics enthusiasts live, Social media kept that problem at bay.
LSU gymnast displays heroics in the vault
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As per the latest update on the Podium Challenge, the LSU 2x UF Gator Grad, Savannah Schoenherr has scored a season-high of 9.95 in the vault amidst a tough Quad Meet Challenge. Leading her way this time as well, she has, by all her hard work and determination, been successful in adding a beautiful feather to her history of achieving five event titles at the 2018 state championships.
Right on the money 🎯
That’s a season high 9.95 for @sav_fs pic.twitter.com/J9ViQL7e7i
— LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) March 9, 2024
Not just the vault routine during the Podium Challenge, the bars were also a delightful show for Savannah Schoenherr. Already declared an all-around and bars champion, she delivered a 9.925 in the event, outperforming her other opponents. While LSU Tigers are ranked No.2 on the vault, No.5 on the beam, No.4 on the bars, and undefeatable No.1 on the floor. Notably, the entire vault squad of LSU raged through the night and one more star led the way.
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A complete performance package by LSU
Haleigh Bryant claimed a major share of the spotlight as she picked up a perfect 10 in the vault. Her perfect score on vault was the ninth in her career to complete a season slam, as she has now recorded a perfect score on every event in 2024. Riding on the performances, the Tigers finished the vault routine with a season-high score of 49.675 to match the program’s second-highest score. Coach Jay Clark seemed to be content with the performance of his squad.
Read More: NCAA Gymnastics News: LSU Gears Up To Compete at River Center in the Upcoming Quad Meet
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“We’ve been working a lot of muscle memory for landing; not landing stiff and I think that showed here tonight. Those are the vaults we see a lot in the gym and I was happy with those results,” Clark said after the meet. However, Clark also pointed out that the squad actually dominated in the routines.
“The thing that most pleases me about tonight is the completeness of the performance. This was our best performance this year regardless of score from top to bottom and the best we’ve seen all year long through all four events,” the coach said. Next up for the Tigers is UNC which also marks their senior night on Friday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. CT.
