LSU Gymnastics advances to Final Four of NCAA Championship meet

The Tigers overcame a rough day to secure a spot in the finals against Florida, Georgia, and Stanford.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold shades of purple and gold, breaking down the dynamic movements of gymnasts into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes, conceptually representing the LSU Gymnastics team's resilience and advancement to the NCAA Championship meet finals.The LSU Gymnastics team's determined push to the NCAA Championship meet finals is captured in a cubist, geometric illustration that reflects the sport's dynamic movements and the program's enduring spirit.Baton Rouge Today

The LSU Gymnastics team has secured a spot in the Final Four of the NCAA Championship meet after finishing fourth in the semifinals with a score of 197.4375. Amari Drayton, Kailin Chio, and Kaliya Lincoln all scored nearly perfect scores on the floor exercise, helping the team overcome a rough day. LSU will face Florida, Georgia, and Stanford in the finals on Saturday, April 18, at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

Why it matters

LSU Gymnastics has been a powerhouse program in recent years, and this appearance in the Final Four continues their tradition of excellence. The team's ability to fight through adversity and qualify for the finals showcases their resilience and determination.

The details

In Thursday's semifinals, LSU scored a 197.4375, which was good enough for a fourth-place finish and a spot in the Final Four. Amari Drayton, Kailin Chio, and Kaliya Lincoln all delivered standout performances on the floor exercise, scoring 9.9375, 9.9625, and 9.9125, respectively. Head coach Jay Clark praised his team's ability to fight through a tough day and secure their place in the finals.

  • The NCAA Championship meet semifinals took place on Thursday, April 17, 2026.
  • The NCAA Championship meet finals will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The players

Amari Drayton

A member of the LSU Gymnastics team who scored a 9.9375 on the floor exercise during the semifinals.

Kailin Chio

A member of the LSU Gymnastics team who scored a 9.9625 on the floor exercise during the semifinals.

Kaliya Lincoln

A member of the LSU Gymnastics team who scored a 9.9125 on the floor exercise during the semifinals.

Jay Clark

The head coach of the LSU Gymnastics team, who praised his team's ability to fight through adversity and qualify for the finals.

LSU Gymnastics

The gymnastics team from Louisiana State University, which has secured a spot in the Final Four of the NCAA Championship meet.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We made it interesting; it was not our best day by a long shot. I told this team that the first meet of the year, where we kind of messed around a little bit or something similar, they learned that day that they were fighters and could fight through things and not quit… I'm really happy for this team because we fought through some serious adversity today.”

— Jay Clark, Head Coach, LSU Gymnastics

What’s next

LSU will face Florida, Georgia, and Stanford in the NCAA Championship meet finals on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

The takeaway

LSU Gymnastics has proven its resilience and determination by overcoming a rough day in the semifinals to advance to the Final Four of the NCAA Championship meet. The team's ability to fight through adversity and secure a spot in the finals showcases their championship-caliber talent and the program's continued excellence.