No. 2 LSU Falls Short of SEC Title Despite Standout Performances, Finishes Third in Championship Thriller

Kailin Chio and Kaliya Lincoln capture individual SEC titles as Tigers post historic score, setting stage for NCAA postseason push.

TULSA, Okla. | The No. 2 LSU Gymnastics team delivered a championship-caliber performance Saturday night but ultimately came up just short, finishing third at the 2026 SEC Championships inside the BOK Center with a 197.950 team score.

In one of the tightest conference finals in recent memory, Florida edged Oklahoma for the SEC crown with a 198.175, narrowly surpassing the Sooners’ 198.150, while LSU remained within striking distance throughout the night in a high-stakes showdown featuring four national contenders.

Despite missing out on the team title, LSU’s performance marked the fourth-highest SEC Championship score in program history—further cementing the Tigers as a national championship threat heading into the postseason.

Chio, Lincoln Shine on Championship Stage

The night belonged in part to sophomore standout Kailin Chio, who delivered a dominant all-around performance. Chio captured the SEC vault title with a near-perfect 9.975 and secured the all-around crown with a 39.775, showcasing her consistency and elite scoring ability across all four events.

Kaliya Lincoln added to LSU’s hardware, earning a share of the floor title with a 9.950—tying for the highest score of the night on the event and demonstrating resilience after battling an elbow issue earlier in the day.

The duo’s victories mark LSU’s third consecutive year with multiple individual SEC champions, underscoring the program’s sustained dominance at the conference level.

A Battle to the Final Rotation

LSU opened strong on uneven bars with a 49.475 and followed it with a program-matching 49.500 on beam, taking the lead at the halfway point with a 98.975.

The Tigers continued to surge on floor, posting a 49.525 behind Lincoln’s standout routine, keeping them firmly in the championship hunt entering the final rotation.

However, a 49.450 on vault—highlighted by Chio’s event-winning score—proved just shy of the margin needed to overtake Florida and Oklahoma in a razor-thin finish.

Championship Mindset Moving Forward

Head coach Jay Clark emphasized the team’s resilience and focus despite the narrow defeat.

“We know where we left some things out there and we’re disappointed, but not defeated,” Clark said. “We’re a championship-quality team, and we’ll bounce back.”

That confidence is well-founded. LSU’s performance not only reaffirmed its elite status but also positioned the Tigers as a formidable contender in the upcoming NCAA postseason.

Eyes on Baton Rouge Regional

The road to a national title now shifts to Baton Rouge, where LSU will host the NCAA Regional from April 1–4. The Tigers will learn their postseason bracket during the NCAA Selection Show, setting the stage for what could be a deep championship run.

With momentum, star power, and postseason experience on their side, LSU remains firmly in the national title conversation—even after falling just short on the SEC stage.

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-- By Andre Leday

Frank Atkinson contributed to this article

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