LSU Gymnastics Honors Dillon Reidenauer in Season-High Victory

BATON ROUGE, La. – The No. 2 LSU Gymnastics team (9-2, 5-1 SEC) triumphed over No. 35 George Washington (16-4, 3-0 EAGL) with a score of 198.125 to 195.475 on Friday evening at the Raising Cane’s River Center. This victory marked LSU’s season-high score, matching the highest in the nation this season, previously set by Florida against Georgia.

LSU excelled in all five event titles during the meet. Senior Haleigh Bryant secured the vault title with a score of 9.950, while sophomore Konnor McClain and freshman Kailin Chio shared the bars title, both scoring 9.950. Chio also claimed the beam title with 9.950, and senior Sierra Ballard won the floor title with a score of 9.950. Bryant’s all-around score of 39.725 secured her the all-around title, further establishing her legacy as the gymnast with the most career all-around titles in LSU history.

“We accomplished a lot tonight. It was fantastic,” said head coach Jay Clark. “I couldn’t have asked for more from the kids that went in tonight. It was by far our most complete performance of the year.”

The competition started with the Tigers on vault, where freshman Lexi Zeiss led off with a score of 9.825. Following her were senior Aleah Finnegan and sophomore Amari Drayton, who scored 9.825 and 9.850 respectively. Chio’s 9.875 lifted LSU’s vault total to 49.325 and gave them an early lead.

In the second rotation, LSU moved to the bars, achieving a season-high score of 49.675. Zeiss scored a career-best 9.925, and junior Ashley Cowan matched her. This strong performance left LSU with a 99.000 to 97.450 lead at the halfway point of the meet.

The beam rotation saw strong contributions from Ballard, Coen, Chio, McClain, and Bryant, contributing to a season-best score of 49.575. Going into the final rotation, the Tigers maintained a lead of 148.575 to 146.525 over George Washington.

Closing out the night on floor, Ballard’s 9.950 was pivotal, and contributions from Chio, Drayton, Coen, and Bryant resulted in a final rotation score of 49.550, bringing LSU’s total to 198.125.

“This was a huge step forward for us as a team in our pursuit of becoming the best we can be,” Bryant said after the meet.

In a somber moment, LSU’s gymnastics community paid tribute to Dillon Reidenauer, an 18-year-old pole vaulter whose tragic death occurred in a car accident this week. Olivia Dunne and her teammates wore black ribbons in honor of Reidenauer during the meet. Dunne shared images of the tribute on social media, stating, “Competing for Dillon tonight.”

Dillon Reidenauer was involved in a fatal crash that also claimed the life of the motorcycle driver, Bodhi Linton. LSU track and field coach Dennis Shaver expressed condolences for Reidenauer, saying, “We are devastated by the tragic passing of Dillon Reidenauer, who was taken from us much too soon.”

Reidenauer was regarded as one of Louisiana’s top pole vaulters during her high school years at Fontainebleau High School. High school coach Sam Sanders remembered her as “a model student-athlete” who was dedicated and determined to succeed at LSU.

As the LSU community mourns, the gymnastics team will look to continue their strong performance in the upcoming meet against No. 8 Georgia on March 7 at 7:30 p.m. CT.