HIGHLIGHTS: LSU Gymnastics vs. Iowa State – January 3, 2025
On January 3, 2025, the LSU Tigers gymnastics team faced off against the Iowa State Cyclones in an exciting early-season matchup that would test both teams’ readiness as they looked to make a mark in their respective seasons. The event was a thrilling showcase of talent, precision, and athleticism as both teams competed in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers, led by their head coach Jay Clark, were eager to kick off the season with a strong performance, while Iowa State, under head coach Jay Ronayne, sought to challenge the powerhouse LSU team on their home turf.
In this recap, we’ll delve into the standout moments from the meet, highlighting individual performances, team efforts, and the key moments that ultimately defined this exciting contest.
The Stage Is Set: A Strong Start to the Season
The meet marked an important opener for both teams as they geared up for what promised to be a competitive season. LSU, a perennial powerhouse in collegiate gymnastics, came into the meet with high expectations after an impressive season in 2024 that saw them reach the NCAA finals. With returning gymnasts like Haleigh Bryant, Kiya Johnson, and Aleah Finnegan, LSU was poised to begin 2025 with a bang.
Meanwhile, Iowa State came into the meet with a strong mix of young talent and experienced veterans. The Cyclones had shown promise in recent years, but this season they were looking to prove they could compete with some of the best teams in the country, and what better way to start than against the Tigers.
As the meet kicked off, fans filled the stands, eagerly awaiting what would be an exciting night of gymnastics.
Vault: Tigers Take Early Lead
The first rotation was on vault, a discipline where LSU has traditionally excelled. The Tigers started strong with their usual mix of power and grace. The vault lineup was highlighted by Haleigh Bryant, who executed a near-perfect Amanar vault—an incredibly difficult and high-flying vault that is notoriously challenging even for the most experienced gymnasts. Bryant’s landing was solid, earning her a strong score and setting the tone for LSU’s performance.
In addition to Bryant’s standout performance, Kiya Johnson followed up with an excellent vault of her own. Johnson’s powerful jump and precision in her landing added to LSU’s already impressive vault rotation. Throughout the rotation, LSU’s gymnasts demonstrated excellent form, pushing the limits of the vault, earning high marks from the judges. The Tigers’ vault team finished strong, setting the bar high for the rest of the meet.
On the other side, Iowa State’s vault team had some impressive routines as well. Macy St. John, one of the Cyclones’ top athletes, performed a solid vault, but despite her strong effort, it was clear that LSU’s power and execution on vault would prove tough to match. The Cyclones struggled with a few landing issues, but overall, their performance was strong and showed that they could compete in this early-season matchup.
Bars: Iowa State Keeps the Pressure On
The second rotation brought both teams to the uneven bars, a discipline where precision and consistency are crucial. LSU’s bars team, led by Aleah Finnegan, came out with a high level of confidence. Finnegan executed her routine with grace, nailing her dismount and earning high marks from the judges. Kiya Johnson also had a fantastic bars routine, showing off her intricate skills and steady handstands, which are often key to earning higher scores.
However, Iowa State wasn’t going to let LSU pull away so easily. The Cyclones had a strong performance on bars, with Ava Lally delivering a clean routine, including a smooth release move that caught the judges’ attention. While Iowa State had a few minor form deductions throughout their bars routines, they certainly showed they were capable of competing against one of the nation’s best teams.
Despite Iowa State’s competitive bars rotation, LSU’s higher difficulty in their routines allowed them to maintain their lead. The Tigers’ consistency on bars, highlighted by Finnegan’s and Johnson’s performances, helped them build momentum as they entered the next rotation.
Beam: LSU’s Consistency Wins the Rotation
The third rotation took the gymnasts to the balance beam, a discipline that often provides dramatic moments and can shift the momentum of the meet. LSU was up first, and the team’s beam lineup was filled with seasoned athletes who have shown remarkable consistency in this event. The Tigers were led by Kiya Johnson, whose beam routine was flawless. Johnson performed a series of intricate skills, including her signature switch leap and side aerial, both executed with impeccable form. Her routine was poised and composed, which helped LSU maintain their lead.
Haleigh Bryant also had an impressive beam routine, highlighted by her high-level skills and strong landings. Her routine showed how she’s continued to improve, with minimal deductions. The Tigers’ beam performances were a clinic in balance and grace, with each gymnast hitting their routine cleanly.
Iowa State showed its mettle as well, with Emily Hiller and Macy St. John delivering solid beam routines. Hiller, in particular, showcased her ability to handle the pressure with a routine that included a beautiful aerial sequence and a near-perfect dismount. However, like their bars rotation, Iowa State had a few minor form deductions that held them back from truly challenging LSU in this rotation. The Tigers’ near-flawless performances helped them extend their lead.
Floor: LSU Seals the Victory
The final rotation was the floor exercise, where both teams had the opportunity to showcase their creativity, energy, and technical skill. Haleigh Bryant, who had already performed excellently on vault and beam, delivered an electric floor routine that left the crowd buzzing. Bryant’s choreography was dynamic, combining power tumbling with fluid dance elements. Her performance ended with a near-perfect double Arabian and a solid landing that earned her high marks from the judges.
Kiya Johnson, who had been a standout throughout the meet, also had an impressive floor routine. Johnson’s powerful tumbling passes, including her high double pike and a flawless double tuck, highlighted her athleticism and experience. Her routine was full of energy, and her expressive choreography kept the crowd engaged from start to finish.
Iowa State’s Ava Lally also delivered a memorable floor routine, showing off her skill and personality with sharp, controlled movements. While Lally’s performance was strong, LSU’s depth and consistency on floor proved to be too much for the Cyclones to overcome.
Final Score and Recap
In the end, LSU’s total team performance across all four events allowed them to maintain their lead and secure the win in this early-season matchup. Their consistency, strong performances on vault, bars, and beam, and explosive energy on floor were all key to their victory.
Final Score:
- LSU Tigers: 197.975
- Iowa State Cyclones: 196.250
While LSU emerged victorious, Iowa State showed impressive performances that proved they can compete with top-tier teams. The Cyclones’ consistency and skill in certain events, like beam and floor, indicated they have a bright future ahead. The meet was a testament to both teams’ talent and work ethic, making it a thrilling competition for fans to witness.
For LSU, this victory was a strong start to the 2025 season. With a roster full of talent and depth, the Tigers demonstrated why they are a perennial contender for the national title. For Iowa State, despite the loss, they gained invaluable experience competing against one of the country’s best teams and will certainly be a force to reckon with in the future.
This LSU vs. Iowa State gymnastics meet was an exciting and action-packed competition that showcased the incredible talent and determination of both teams. From strong vault performances to graceful beam routines and energetic floor performances, the event was filled with moments that left fans in awe. LSU’s ability to execute high-difficulty routines with precision and consistency ultimately led them to victory, but Iowa State proved they are a team to watch in the coming years.
With the 2025 season now underway, both teams will take valuable lessons from this early meet as they look to improve and continue to compete at the highest level.
