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Aleah Finnegan and her LSU Gymnastics made history on Saturday night as they stormed to the NCAA national title for the first time in the program's history.
The Tigers delivered an incredible performance as they faced off against California, Florida and Utah at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. The team was flawless from the very first rotation. Ultimately, it was Finnegan who sealed the deal for LSU scoring a 9.950 on the balance beam for the team’s final routine of the night.
With her impressive score, the Tigers’ total reached 198.225, placing them ahead of the California Bears, who finished second with a score of 197.85. After their win, Finnegan took to her Instagram to express immense pride in their achievements and penned a heartfelt message to the Tiger nation:
“GOD DID!! WE ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Tiger nation, you showed up and showed out this whole season. This one is for all of us. Thank you for the tremendous love, support, and prayers that we have received all year long!”
She then thanked her teammates, writing,
“What a privilege and honor to represent LSU and to be surrounded by the sisterhood we share. I love each and every one of these girls. With each other, for each other. Thank you Jesus for allowing us to compete for something far greater than ourselves. It was far from easy, but we got there!! FOREVER NATTY CHAMPS BABY!!”
Aleah Finnegan wins national title on floor
Before the LSU Tigers stormed to the national championships on Saturday night, Aleah Finnegan had already been crowned an NCAA gold medalist. In the semifinals on Friday, the junior put up a stunning performance, claiming her first individual national title.
Finnegan was flawless on April 20th and secured her fourth program win on the floor. With this, she became only the fourth gymnast from LSU to claim an NCAA title on the floor.
Furthermore, she made history by joining her sister, Sarah Finnegan, as the first sibling duo to have national wins in program history. With the collegiate season finished, Aleah Finnegan will now turn her focus to the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she will make her debut representing the Philippines.
