The No. 3 LSU Tigers dug in their claws and put up a great fight against the No. 2 Florida Gators, but it wasn’t enough to finish on top. The Gators chomped the tigers 198.125 - 197.625 in Friday night’s SEC showdown.

 

Photo Credit: Erin Long

The match-up in the O’Dome caused a flood of pink for the annual Link to Pink competition. The Gators wore a black leotard with bright pink Swarovski crystal accents and one sleeve in hot pink. The Tigers chose to wear a pastel pink combined with their school colors; purple, gold, and black.

 

The crowd filled the stands to the very top, but the lively LSU fans could easily be heard through the ruckus.  

 

Florida once again started the meet off strong with yet another 10.0 from junior Kytra Hunter. This makes her 4^th 10.0 of the season, leaving only 6 more left to reach her personal goal of 10 perfect 10.0’s.

 

Gator fans have come to almost expect a perfect 10 at every meet, since Hunter’s score marks the 5^th straight meet in a row that a perfect 10 was earned for Florida.


Photo Credit: Erin Long

 

Florida’s Bridget Sloan, Alaina Johnson, and Mackenzie Caquatto all scored a 9.9 or over on vault. LSU’s Jesse Jordan, Sarie Morrison, and Rheagan Courville accomplished the same feat.

 

Bars easily went to the Tigers after Courville and Morrison (No. 4 in the nation on bars) tied for the event title with 9.95’s. The Tigers fought for every landing and gave very little away in form deductions.

 

After the first two rotations the Tigers were in the lead by 0.05, but the Gators saved their best for last.

 

Florida racked up four scores of 9.9 or higher on balance beam from Rachel Spicer, Claire Boyce, and Mackenzie Caquatto. Sloan took the event title with a superior 9.95.

 

The two powerhouse gymnasts on each team, Kytra Hunter and Lloimincia Hall, both struggled to post a decent score on beam; Hunter with a 9.65 and Hall with a 9.575. However, both athletes scored the top mark for their team on floor.

 

LSU ranks second in the nation on floor and Florida is directly behind in third. However, the Tigers lost their spunk and only one 9.9 was earned throughout their whole floor lineup.  The nights most interesting routine, of course, went to Lloimincia Hall with the famed seat drop before her last pass. Hall scored a 9.925.

 

Florida scored a whopping 49.65 on floor including four scores over 9.9 from Johnson, Sloan, Hunter and Bridgette Caquatto. Hunter took the event title with a 9.975 after receiving a 10.0 from the second judge.

 

Overall, this SEC match-up lived up to the hype. LSU brought their “A” game on vault and bars, but Florida took advantage of the Tigers mistakes and roared passed on beam and floor.