ADVERTISEMENT

OLYMPIC SPORTS 03/11 LSU Gymnastics Media Availability

Luke Hubbard

Analyst
Staff
Aug 24, 2023
5,633
3,481
113
22
Jay Clark
  • Thought it was their best performance top to bottom to date.
  • Liked getting experience on podium events. The landings are a bit different and it let them get used to the four team format.
  • Thinks his girls feel comfortable at this point in the season. They've really hit their stride and the girls seem like they're calm and confident about what they're doing.
  • Says senior night is a weird spot. They have a ground of 4th, 5th and 6th years who will be doing senior night. Not everyone that's honored will leave however, as they still have decisions to come.
  • Thinks this has been Ballard's and Dunne's best years. Dunne did more her freshman year than this year, but feel her prep and practices have been better.
  • Sixth years are obviously not returning. Theoretically, Alyona, Olivia, Chase, Sierra, Haleigh and Kiya could all come back next season, but they're focused on winning this year.
  • Want to get some of the seniors out there on Friday, but still want to put an effective lineup out there.
  • Bryant's record stands on it's own. Says trying to describe it is repetitive and copy and paste because he has no other words to describe it.
Olivia Dunne and Sierra Ballard
  • Dunne hasn't decided if she's coming back for a fifth year.
  • Ballard is a grad student, but got her bachelors in three years, so she also can come back for a fifth year. Both say the main priority this year.
  • Dunne says this is her favorite year at LSU so far. Says this team is so close and they do everything together.
  • Ballard thinks they have a new found confidence. Seeing what they did last year with all the adversity gave them confidence for what they could do this year.
  • Says senior night is a sad thing, but it's more exciting because they're celebrating their legacy. They're treating it like it's another meet.
  • Ballard gave their performance at the podium challenge a B+ and Dunne gave it an A.
  • Dunne said her summers are usually hectic with brand deals, but she tries to find a balance to stay in shape. She treated this summer like it was her last and she wanted to make the best of it, and she thinks it's really paid off. Wouldn't say she took it more seriously, but she finally find the right balance between NIL, practice and school.
  • Dunne calls Haleigh Bryant the most humble person and the best college gymnast ever. She inspires them to rise to the same level as her. Ballard says talking about Haleigh is her favorite topic ever. They've been roommates for four years and are best friends.
  • Dunne's trying to leave a legacy helping woman athlete's get NIL deals. She started the Livvy Fund to help out her gym teammates, but wants to extend to all other sports soon.
  • Ballard embraces the leadoff role on beam. Says her biggest role on this team is to bring the energy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: T.Kid
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Go Big.
Get Premium.

Join Rivals to access this premium section.

  • Say your piece in exclusive fan communities.
  • Unlock Premium news from the largest network of experts.
  • Dominate with stats, athlete data, Rivals250 rankings, and more.
Log in or subscribe today Go Back