Gym team, community scores big at Etta James memorial

LSU takes down No. 6 Oregon State (photos included)

By MAGGIE BOWLES
Tiger Rag Contributor

(All photos taken by Bowles, as well)

Baton Rouge - The LSU gymnastics team posted a new season-high total at the Etta James memorial meet with a 196.925 on Friday evening (March 5) in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

LSU improved its record to 5-0 at home, scoring a 49.125 or higher on all four events. In a meeting between the SEC and the PAC 10, the tenth-ranked Tigers took down No. 6 Oregon State in front of 5,641 fans dressed all in pink.

Being a sports journalist, I have covered my fair share of events at the PMAC, but Friday night was different.

It was the third annual Etta James memorial meet. “The pink meet” is where everyone wears pink - including the gymnasts and meet attendees - even the meet officials join the fun to raise money for breast cancer. Junior gymnast Samantha Engle said “everyone’s attitude was really great, we were all having a really good time.” There was a certain level of excitement in the building and everyone coming together for such a worthy cause made this event stand out from the rest.

Foundation 56 (Etta James memorial foundation) was started by LSU alumni and current Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bradie James, whose mother passed away from breast cancer in 2002. When head coach D-D Breaux learned of the foundation she wanted to be involved.

“People have taken ownership of this event,” Breaux explained. “We are trying to get more of the community involved because this event gives back to the community and the underserved women of this community who need support to detect and fight breast cancer.”

This year the weekend’s events at LSU for the memorial meet raised $38,366, which rivals previous years’ donations and constitutes a great success. The meet was essential for both the community and the LSU gymnastics team.

As Breaux said, “we did a lot of little things a little better” which lead to season highs for multiple teams members. Senior Susan Jackson claimed her eighth all-around title of the season with a 39.650 total and Engle posted a career-high on the beam as she crushed her former high with a 9.925 to win the event title.

“We were aggressive tonight in the meet, especially on beam, and that was the message we have been carrying through practice,” Breaux continued. “We have been demanding 9.825 and 9.85 performances in practice, and we approached that tonight. It was very gratifying for the team.”

Next week the Tigers will host their final home meet of the season against Iowa. “Next week is senior night, and it is always exciting and sad because we have a great senior class,” said Breaux. “We have a tremendous amount of alums coming back next week, so it is overwhelming for us. We hope the fans come out to support this tremendous group of seniors next week.”

* The below pictures, in order from top to bottom, are of Coach D-D Breaux, Samantha Engle, Susan Jackson, Gloria Johnson and a team celebration post-meet.