🏆 April 21: National champions! How the LSU gymnasts got it done

Advocate columnist Scott Rabalais joins sports editor Perryn Keys to recap the LSU gymnastics team's thrilling ride to the first national championship in program history. NOTE: BUY THE ADVOCATE'S CHAMPIONSHIP POSTERS HERE! We first discuss LSU's run through the semifinals Thursday — and Oklahoma's shocking turn on beam, which led to the Sooners' early departure and increased the Tigers' chances at winning the championship Saturday afternoon. Rab then turns to the championship meet itself — how it shaped up; how the Tigers had to finish on beam, often the most treacherous event; and how Sierra Ballard, Aleah Finnegan and their other four teammates left no doubt with the best beam performance in finals history. Rab reflects on the moment Finnegan — who struggled on beam earlier this year — stuck the landing and made it clear that the Tigers had their first set of rings. We also discussed a special moment when Jay Clark made sure to bring up the founder and architect of the program, D-D Breaux, to celebrate with the team on the podium. One other thing: As the guys made sure to note, think not only of LSU's national championships over the past five years, but also of the mind-blowing number of world-class individual athletes who have been through campus during that time, and why that's simply not common. Or normal. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Subscribe to The Advocate: theadvocate.com/subscribe Sign up for the LSU Sports Insider newsletter: theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter 0:00-Where were you when LSU clinched the championship? 4:00-How Oklahoma's fall put LSU in the driver's seat 11:40-LSU's dramatic, clinching final rotation on beam 19:30-The big moment: Aleah Finnegan brings it home 21:55-Jay Clark celebrates — but not without D-D Breaux 28:45-Haleigh Bryant among LSU's world-class athletes 37:05-LSU's 52nd national championship in all sports 41:50-Why the Tigers should contend again in 2024-25