Konnor McClain, Haleigh Bryant help LSU women win first NCAA gymnastics title

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Konnor McClain scored a 9.9625 on the beam — one of five LSU gymnasts with a score of at least 9.95 in the final rotation — to help the Tigers win the first NCAA title in program history on Saturday.

LSU, which finished fourth last year, trailed Utah by 0.037 points and led third-place California by 0.113 after three rotations but senior Sierra Ballard kicked off the fourth and final rotation with a career-high 9.950 — her only routine of the day. Savannah Schoenherr followed with a 9.3875 before McClain posted the best score of the day on the beam. Kiya Johnson, Haleigh Bryant and Aleah Finnegan each scored 9.950 to help the Tigers to a program record on the beam with a with a 49.7625 and seal LSU’s national championship with a total score of 198.2250.

Cal, which made its first appearance in the finals, finished second with 197.8500, 0.0500 ahead of third-place Utah. Florida, which was expected to have a rebuilding year without stars Trinity Thomas (graduation) and Kayla DiCello (training for the upcoming Paris Olympics), finished in fourth place. was fourth with 197.4375.