LSU Season Preview by LSU

The Returners

The Tigers return 8 gymnasts from the 2002 team.  

Sophomore Lauren Companioni has an important role on the team. She is serving as team co-captain. She will also compete on three events (vault <9.9 SV front pike>, beam, and floor) for the Tigers. She is most known for her floor routine, where she is a 2002 first team All American. On bars, she is training a new routine with more difficulty including a new release move. So, it is possible that she will see action in the AA.

Senior Brooke Cazeaux is the other co-captain for the 2003 season. Best known for her clean lines and difficult release moves on bars, Brooke will also see action on beam and floor for the Tigers.  Junior Lindsay Beddow looks to pick up right where she left in 2002.  Serving as the academic captain for the 2003 season, she contributes most on beam and bars for the Tigers. However, she is training a new vault and more difficult floor tumbling in hopes of seeing action on these events.

Sophomore Annie Gagnon is probably the most improved gymnast from the 2002 team.  In 2002, she exhibitioned beam and competed on floor for the Tigers.  However, in one of LSU's preseason intrasquads, she had the second highest AA score, along with 9.8 + scores on beam and floor, where she'll contribute the most.  Fellow sophomore Jade Jenkins looks to add on to what was a good 2002 season.  She competed on vault (9.9 SV front tuck 1/2) and beam and exhibitioned floor for LSU in 2002.  She is training a new, more difficult vault for 2003.  She will definitely contribute on these events again in 2003, and adds to the depth of the LSU team.

Junior Chelsea Richard and Sophomore Rachel Franzella also add to the depth of the LSU team.  Both competed on floor and exhibitioned vault during the 2002 season.  Additionally, Franzella exhibitioned beam in 2002.  At the recent intrasquad, Chelsea had the 2nd highest floor score.  

What will hurt the Tigers in 2003 (especially on vault and bars) is the loss of Junior Kristin Uransky.  Kristin had off season shoulder surgery, and she is not fully recovered. She competed a 10.0 SV vault (Hristakeiva) during the 2002 season, and saw action many times on bars.  Look for her to be back and better than ever in 2004!

The Newcomers

Coach Breaux welcomes 8 new gymnasts to the LSU team.  April Burkholder, from Texas, is one to watch!  She won the AA with a score of 39.65 in one of the intrasquads, and word is she will have an immediate impact on the team by anchoring every event.  She has a 10.0 SV on every event, and she will definitely challenge the LSU freshmen AA record (which, if I remember correctly, is held by Shanyn MacEachern).  

Terin Martinjak, from Florida, will also be counted on heavily by the team. Her best events are vault (front pike; training front pike 1/2) and floor, where she has scored 9.8 + in the recent intrasquads.  She will also contribute on beam.  

Georgia native Megan Durning is best known for her consistent beam routine (9.85 at the intrasquad) and her great floor tumbling (triple twist, double pike, front tumbling pass).  She also trains vault.  

Rikki L'Heureux, from Florida, should see action on vault (10.0 SV) and bars for the Tigers.  Pennsylvania native Kelly Lea had off season surgery but appears to be doing well.  Vault (10.0 SV front pike 1/2) and bars are her best events.  Maryland native Brittany Brown placed 3rd at 2002 JO's on floor.  She looks add to the depth of the team, especially on floor and vault.  

Katherine Hilton, a native of New Orleans, will also add to the depth of the team with her bars and beam routines.  Lindsey Thompson, a native of the Baton Rouge area, is training the AA but is best known for her floor routine (9.85 at the inrasquad).

Outlook

The LSU schedule is challenging with away meets against Alabama, Utah, Nebraska, Auburn, and Kentucky on the schedule.  Exciting home meets for LSU include battles with SEC rivals Georgia, Florida, and Arkansas.  LSU will benefit from this schedule.  With some outstanding returners and eager newcomers, LSU expects nothing less than a trip to Lincoln (NCAA Nationals) in April!

GEAUX TIGERS!