LSU Gymnastics Head Coach Jay Clark previews the offseason and their opening meet against No. 14 Ohio State
- Looking forward to starting the season against Ohio State. They made it to the final 16 last season, says that's hard to do in today's gymnastics world.
- They opened on the road last season, so he's looking forward to beginning the season at home this year.
- Says ticket sales have been amazing, set a record on season ticket sales this season. Expecting a big crowd despite the students not back yet.
- Says this is as talented and as deep a team as he's ever coached in 34 years.
- They had a lot of injuries last year and if you told him they'd make it to the final four with all those injuries, he wouldn't believe it.
- Doesn't want to ride Haleigh Bryant in all four events this year because he feels they have the gymnasts to make sure they don't have to do the all-around.
- There will be some movement early in the season so they can get a feel on their personnel for each event.
- The last several weeks they've been going through and deciding which gymnasts are going to do what events. Says there's so much talent that they've made it hard, but thinks the vision is becoming clearer. Says it's a good problem to have.
- Says Cammy Hall will do the vault and floor. She suffered an achilles injury last year and that's hard to come back from. She also ruptured her other achilles earlier in her career.
- Want to get off to a good start. You're not trying to win the championship Friday night, but you're trying to start fast and be successful. Would be nice to come out the gate and hit 24 routines. They want to get a win, but they really want a baseline and a starting point.
- Says Kiya Johnson is in a great spot. Said her ankles gave her some problems coming back from injury, but she's fully back now. She won't do all-around every week, but she's capable of doing them all.
- Says Johnson and Bryant are in a leadership role this season. Because of their personalities, they've done a great job of welcoming the senior transfers. Calls it a "leadership by committee"
- Says Livvy was frustrated last year with her role, but she spent the summer training this year and came back strong. Said she's put herself in a position to perform. She does floor, bars and beam, but won't vault this year. Despite her "stardom," she is a great teammate and the other girls love her.
- Says if Leah was still trying to qualify for the Olympics, there would be some conflict in the spring, but since she's already in, there won't be any scheduling conflict. She'll still have 8 weeks after the season before she goes to the Olympics. She has a little wrist injury, which is why she's not going to do the all-around.
- Says they'll have some surprises in the arena to make the experience more enjoyable for the fans.
