LSU's Konnor McClain injured on bars at NCAA regional final

Tigers star gymnast's status uncertain as team heads to national semifinals

Apr. 5, 2026 at 5:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

LSU junior Konnor McClain was injured during the bars routine in the Baton Rouge regional final of the 2026 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships. McClain fell hard to the mat and was later seen holding her right arm, raising concerns about her status for the national semifinals.

Why it matters

McClain has been a key contributor for the LSU gymnastics team this season, competing in the vault, bars, and beam lineups. If she is unable to compete at nationals, it could be a significant loss for the Tigers as they try to win their first NCAA team title.

The details

McClain was anchoring LSU's bars lineup when she appeared to struggle with the catch on her toe-on piked Tkatchev, falling hard to the mat. She was evaluated by trainers and later emerged still holding her right arm. LSU head coach Jay Clark said McClain has been dealing with some shoulder/elbow issues that present as nerve pain, and they will need to get further scans to determine the extent of the injury.

  • The incident occurred during the second rotation of the Baton Rouge regional final on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • LSU went on to win the regional final and advance to the national semifinals in Fort Worth, Texas on April 16, 2026.

The players

Konnor McClain

A junior on the LSU gymnastics team who has been a standout performer in the vault, bars, and beam lineups this season.

Jay Clark

The head coach of the LSU gymnastics team.

Madison Ulrich

An LSU gymnast who replaced McClain in the beam lineup after her injury.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It doesn't appear that way at this point, but we won't know until we get a good scan.”

— Jay Clark, LSU Head Coach

“We'll see.”

— Jay Clark, LSU Head Coach

What’s next

The LSU gymnastics team will compete in the national semifinals in Fort Worth, Texas on April 16, 2026. If they advance to the Four on the Floor team final on April 18, they will have two more meets total. The team and medical staff will continue to evaluate McClain's injury and her status for nationals.

The takeaway

McClain's injury is a significant concern for the LSU gymnastics team as they head to the NCAA national championships. The Tigers have relied heavily on McClain's contributions this season, and her absence could be costly as they pursue their first NCAA team title. The next few days will be critical in determining the extent of the injury and McClain's availability for nationals.