No. 2 LSU Gymnastics Earns Road Win at No. 7 Missouri, 197.675-197.500

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The No. 2 LSU Gymnastics team (4-1-1) achieved a significant SEC road victory, defeating No. 7 Missouri (4-3) with a score of 197.675-197.500 on Friday night at Mizzou Arena.

 

This challenging away competition in Columbia resulted in LSU’s highest road score of the season to date.

 

Kailin Chio was the sole gymnast to compete in all four events, earning an impressive all-around score of 39.600. She led the team with a 9.975 on beam and two scores of 9.950 on floor and vault. The sophomore won four titles during the meet, bringing her seasonal total to 11 and her career total to 34 in just four meets this year.

 

Junior Amari Drayton captured her first vault title of the year, marking the second of her career, while Kaliya Lincoln secured her third title overall and second on floor this season.

 

LSU started on bars, with sophomore Lexi Zeiss registering a score of 9.800 to begin. Junior Madison Ulrich followed with a season-high 9.925, and freshman Haley Mustari made her LSU debut with a solid 9.900. Chio scored 9.725, and graduate student Courtney Blackson excelled with a 9.925. Junior Konnor McClain rounded out the rotation with a score of 9.825, contributing to a team total of 49.375.

 

After the first rotation, LSU led 49.375-49.275.

 

Moving to vault in the second rotation, Zeiss led with a score of 9.775, followed by a 9.825 from McClain. Blackson achieved a season-high 9.900 in the third position, while Drayton recorded a season-high 9.950. Lincoln contributed a score of 9.800, with Chio closing out with another 9.950, leading to a season-high vault score of 49.425.

 

At the midpoint, LSU increased its lead to 98.800-98.625 over Missouri.

 

In the third rotation on floor, senior Emily Innes opened with a score of 9.850. Freshman Nina Ballou and junior Kylie Coen both matched their career highs with scores of 9.900. Drayton posted a 9.775 with an out-of-bounds deduction, followed by Chio and Lincoln shining with back-to-back 9.950s to finish the rotation strong, achieving a total of 49.550.

 

After three rotations, LSU was ahead 148.350-148.025.

 

In the final beam rotation, Coen scored 9.850 to start, followed by Zeiss with 9.825 and Drayton matching her season-high with 9.925. Lincoln added a 9.750, while McClain scored 9.550. Chio anchored with a superb 9.975, securing the win for LSU and contributing to a rotation total of 49.325.

 

LSU wrapped up the competition with a final score of 197.675, winning against Missouri’s 197.500.

 

This victory marked LSU’s first road win of the season and their second consecutive win over Missouri during the regular season.

 

The Tigers brought home six titles, with Chio winning her third all-around title of the season after achieving three scores of 9.95 or higher. Drayton earned a title on bars, and Lincoln secured the floor title.

 

LSU will host Penn State next Friday, February 6, at 7:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network+ inside the PMAC. Stay updated on all LSU Gymnastics news by following the team on social media at @LSUgym on Instagram, X, and Facebook.