Meet the winner of Miss LSU 2025
UNDISPUTED
LSU gymnastics claims second consecutive SEC championship.
Read on page 2
TWO-TIMERS
How LSU gymnastics defended its SEC Championship title
BY GABBY GRAY & AINSLEY FLOOD Staff Writers
LSU gymnastics were crowned SEC champions once again on Saturday night in Birmingham in a meet packed with perfect scores.
The Tigers chased down victory in a do-or-die final vault rotation that brought the championship home. Despite not receiving any of the five perfect 10s awarded in the meet, LSU’s all-around execution couldn’t be beat.
Before the meet, the Tigers were named the No. 2 seed in the conference as the postseason climb began, and the pressure was on to protect the crown.
The championships consisted of two sessions, each with four teams. LSU was amongst the other top four-seeded teams: No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 3 Florida and No. 4 Missouri.
Session one saw lower scores, even with Alabama’s dominating score over the other teams. It wasn’t until Session two that the 10s would start flying.
“We try our best not to even talk about scores,” Tigers head coach Jay Clark said. “It’s really just about focusing on the performance quality that we have and we were able to do that.”
LSU got the jump with a championship-worthy bars lineup with five straight scores of 9.900 and above.
All-arounders Kailin Chio and Aleah Finnegan pulled through for the Tigers with consecutive 9.950 scores, which helped LSU pull ahead into first.
Oklahoma’s senior star Jordan Bowers took a large step forward as the anchor on vault, and the team was forced to drop the low score.
The Tigers momentum traveled on to the balance beam as previous champions Haleigh Bryant and Finnegan claimed the lineup’s best scores of 9.925.
However, Legacy Arena erupted with noise from Gator fans when Selena Harris-Miranda’s vault caught a perfect score as the last gymnast in the lineup, which was her third 10.000 of the season and her second on vault.
The score wasn’t enough to overtake LSU and their 49.450 on the balance beam, which combined with their score on bars, totalled a first-half score of 99.050.
The Tigers made their way to the floor, where Chio laid some groundwork in the third spot with a 9.950.
Florida’s senior all-arounder Leanne Wong gave the Gators their second 10 of the night, her third of the season and first on bars.
As LSU’s Amari Drayton and Bryant earned matching 9.950s,
Florida’s anchor Riley McCusker earned the Gators their third perfect 10 of the night and second on the event.
With three perfect scores in three rotations, Florida stole the lead and the Tigers fell to second with only vault standing in their way. The score differential was 148.725-148.625
“The 10s were flying, we just kept our heads down and just went one person at a time, and we came out on top. It was absolutely amazing,” Bryant said.
The No. 1 vault team in the nation laid their championship hopes on the final event, including the nation’s best Kailin Chio.
Senior KJ Johnson led LSU off with a 9.875 and Zeiss followed as she matched her personal best with a 9.900.
Finnegan matched Zeiss’ score and Chio took the vault, earning a 9.900.
With one gymnast to go in each event, every team had a final chance to lift the trophy.
For Missouri, Mara Titarsolej completed the bars lineup and landed her first 10 of the season. The team finished their season on a high, but would come up short in the championships with a fourth place finish of 197.400.
Over on beam, Florida’s Alyssa Arana posted a below-average 9.775 but had to count it because of Leanne Wong’s uncharacteristic score of 9.675 on the event. Their final score was 197.825, which wouldn’t be enough to win it.
The nation’s leading team on floor, Oklahoma, hadn’t put up the scores it would’ve hoped but was still in the race with anchor Faith Torrez.
Before she could complete
her routine, Bryant was last up on vault for LSU.
In moments leading up to her routine, she danced alongside her teammates as fans counted down the seconds until she launched off the spring pad.
She ran, catching momentum as she flipped through the air and stuck a 9.950, matching her personal best this year — a score consistent to LSU’s performance on the event throughout the season.
Bryant is yet to receive a 10 this season, but she delivered exactly when the team needed it most. LSU’s score surpassed both Florida and Missouri at 198.200.
The final judgement fell on Torrez, who achieved perfection once this season and proved lightning does strike twice with the night’s fifth and final 10.
Even perfection couldn’t topple the Tigers, though. The 10 only brought Oklahoma’s score to 197.925, which crowned LSU
as the 2025 SEC champions.
It’s their second consecutive title after last year’s set the precedent for a first-ever national championship. Their sixth conference championship is the reward for a season of resilience.
The Tigers were tasked with a new challenge this year as the Sooners entered the SEC. LSU was classified as the No. 2 team week after week but finally proved that they could beat them on equal turf.
“The regional format is — I call it this every year — an actual meat grinder, and it’s the hardest thing that’s coming up. So I think this bodes well, but it’s not a guarantee of anything,” Clark said.
Clark said that although this is a confidence booster, the team knows from experience that their mindset needs to remain the same. With one championship down, LSU’s eyes are already set on the next.
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LSU gymnastics all-around senior Tori Tatum celebrates after LSU’s SEC Championship win on March 22 at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Al.
PAYTON PRICHARD / The Reveille
An LSU gymnastics member holds the crown during LSU’s SEC Championship win on March 22 at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Al.
NEWS SENATE SPEAKS OUT
LSU Student Senate urges campaign reinstatement be overturned
BY MORGAN VANNOSDALL
Staff Writer
An overwhelming majority of the Student Senate voted to request the LSU dean of students and the Office of the General Counsel repeal the overturned disqualification of the Foret-Tatman: Forward ticket at the Student Senate meeting Wednesday.
The resolution, brought by College of Business Sen. Corbitt Driskell and other senators, urges Dean of Students Fran’Cee Brown-McClure and Deputy General Counsel Trey Jones to repeal the reinstatement of the Foret-Tatman: Forward ticket and support the University Court’s actions, which Driskell said followed university and state judicial proceedings.
The dean of students reinstated the campaign Sunday after Student Government’s Judicial Branch disqualified them last month for alleged bribery. The resolution also highlighted the involvement of state senators Alan Seabaugh and Gregory Miller, who wrote in support of Foret-Tatman: Forward before
HEALTH
Brown-McClure’s decision, saying there was insufficient evidence for the ticket’s disqualification.
The resolution also said State Rep. Dixon McMakin “threatened to bring the perceived issues of the Student Government Election to a meeting” with Stu-
dent Advocacy and Accountability Advisor Johnathan Sanders, senators Seabaugh and Miller and LSU President William F. Tate IV.
“There was a ton of external pressure from the state legislature that really kind of was meant to intimidate not only
our group but pretty clearly our Division of Student Affairs,” Driskell said.
Driskell noted University Court decisions have only been overruled twice, in the 1950s and again in the ‘70s, both for
LSU Student Health Center hosts ‘Trash Your Insecurities’ event to promote healthy lifestyles
BY MADDIE PACELLI
Staff Writer
The LSU Student Health Center hosted an event Friday to help students create a positive relationship with food and their body image and trash their insecurities.
At the event, students could write down their biggest insecurity and metaphorically – and literally – throw it in the trash. There was also a whiteboard where students could write what made them most proud of themselves. Together, the Health Center used these activities to promote balanced nutrition, healthy relationships with food and positive body images.
“Writing down what I’m most proud of myself was very powerful to me,” said Sophia Janicki, a freshman finance student.
The goal of the event was to support eating disorder awareness, body acceptance and neutrality and increase student awareness of campus resources.
Students aiming to improve their relationship with food or their body image can seek in-
AGRICULTURE
College of Agriculture hosts Ag Week
BY TORI BONIN Staff Writer
Last week LSU’s College of Agriculture celebrated Ag Week with events, activities and speakers to highlight the impact agriculture has on Louisiana and the world.
The week was filled with activities for students and staff like volunteering at the food pantry and a tie-dye event. The College of Agriculture also hosted informational events during the week, including a panel celebrating women in agriculture and a symposium focused on the future of the field, to underscore the $12-billion industry’s impact to the state.
On Thursday the LSU AgCenter held a panel highlighting career opportunities in agriculture and extension with its Cultivating Success: Women in Agriculture panel. This panel of diverse women highlighted the role women play in agriculture and their importance to the advancement of the field.
Shannon Coleman, a state extension specialist and an associate professor with the College of Agriculture, believes despite the rise in women in agriculture, there’s still a need for more.
“... As I started going into agriculture for my degree and at Colorado State our bathrooms sucked because guess what? There was no female bathroom in the animal science building,” Coleman said. “So that is why I see us as being important. There is an increase of women producers, but when we go to conferences there are still not that many of us there.”
Donna Gentry is the coordinator for the Louisiana Master Farmer Program and has worked with different farmers about best management practices for conservation. With her lifelong career in agriculture she has seen the growth of women in the field in her own lifetime.
“There have been a lot of times in my life where I was one of the few females at the meeting and you just kind of accept it,” Gentry said. “That has started to change because I think a lot of companies are realizing that women play a big part. They realize women are overall more detail oriented and they’re more reliable. There are a lot of reasons that companies are hiring women.”
Many students who were at
PAYTON PRICHARD / The Reveille
LSU Student Government Senate members sit on Feb. 12 in the Capital Chambers in the LSU Student Union in Baton Rouge, La.
PERSICKE / The Reveille
SENATE, from page 3
civil rights reasons. The campaign was reinstated only a half hour before active campaigning began, the resolution notes.
Driskell, an economics senior, said passing the resolution would preserve the validity of the Judicial Branch.
Driskell also stated that the resolution wouldn’t affect the physical election, since elections are not able to be decided until all judicial cases are final. This could possibly affect the outcome but not the timeline of voting.
When moved into debate, many members were vocal about their support. Sen. Emma Long, a mass communication and political science senior, urged the rest of the senators to think into
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formation about the topic from reliable sources. However, some may need more individualized help, such as support from a mental health provider or a multidisciplinary team, like the Student Health Center’s Eating Disorders Treatment Team.
“It is my privilege to work individually with students to incorporate strategies to nourish their bodies in a flexible versus rigid way,” said Emily Caire, a registered dietitian at the Student Health Center who put on the event.
Body dissatisfaction can influence decisions about eating habits. About 30 million Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime, with the median age of onset for eating disorders occurring from 18-21 years old, making this a relevant issue for college students.
Students were asked to complete a survey about their experience after the event. Eighty percent of participants indicated increased awareness of eat-
the logistics.
“My question for all of you regarding this: is Dr. B [BrownMcClure] the dean of students or is she the dean of state senators?” Long asked.
Sen. Camille Bower, a mass communication sophomore, also debated the cause, speaking to how “disheartened” she was by the actions taken to overturn the original ruling. She said this corrupts the Student Senate.
“When the decision was rightfully made, I was so excited,” Bower said. “You know because the political arena outside of Student Government is not perfect and there is a lot of corruption, so I was excited there wasn’t in our own body.”
The resolution was passed 56-1 with seven senators abstaining from the vote.
Senators passed multiple other resolutions at the meeting, including two by Long. One urged LSU to include language on civic engagement in course syllabi, and another to allocate a portion of the student tech fee to help fund TurboVote, a non-partisan nonprofit that encourages civic engagement by providing election information nationwide.
In addition, resolutions requesting the university install outlet towers outside the front of the Student Union and provide voluntary breathalyzers outside of Tiger Stadium on game days were passed. Both were presented by Sen. Paris Holman.
The next Student Senate meeting will take place March 26 at 6:30 p.m.
ing disorders and body image concerns, roughly 75% indicated an increased acceptance of their body and about 85% had increased awareness of campus resources for eating disorders
and body image concerns.
“I got a chance to express my insecurities and uplift myself at this event and it brightened my day,” said Addison Gonzalez, a freshman journalism student.
the event were inspired to pursue a career in agriculture. One student was Lauren Eckert, a junior studying natural resource ecology and management. She looks forward to continuing the work of women in agriculture and pushing the field forward.
“Women in ag are important because it’s a male-dominated industry,” Eckert said. “I want to be a trailblazer and I want to advocate for women having a seat at the table.”
Carollicia Roberts, a junior studying animal science, realized that she can use the lack of women in the industry to her advantage to make herself stand out.
“I was wondering how as a woman we can step up and just get inspiration from different women who work in ag and one of the things that were my main takeaway today was actually using that I am one of the few women in the room to stand out and to network,” Roberts said.
On Friday, LSU alumnus Pete Vegas held a symposium on regenerative agriculture, an approach to farming focusing on
ecosystem health and restoration. Vegas, the founder of the rice company Sage V Foods, highlighted how regenerative agriculture can impact the world and explained his plans to help expand the practice.
“Sustainable means you keep things the way they are if you do a good job,” Vegas said. “Regenerative is how you improve it. You’re trying to take it back to where it was, but even better.”
Vegas explained regenerative agriculture has not only the potential to benefit the earth, but also help farmers increase their profit by decreasing the input the farmers give.
“The most important thing I want to leave you with is there are farmers doing this today at scale,” Vegas said. “They are making more money than conventional farmers. This can absolutely be done. It’s our job to teach more farmers how to do this.”
Vegas plans to continue implementing regenerative agricultural practices to expand the field while proving to farmers that regenerative farming is the future of agriculture.
PAYTON PRICHARD / The Reveille
The LSU Student Government Senate sits on Oct. 30 in the Capital Chambers in the Student Union in Baton Rouge, La.
MALEAH BOURGEOIS / The Reveille
Attendees listen to the speakers during the Women in Agriculture conference on March 20 in the LSU Student Union in Baton Rouge, La.
AG WEEK, from page 3
ALEXIS PERSICKE / The Reveille Student Health Center workers hold up shirts March 21 outside the LSU Library in Baton Rouge, La.
ALEXIS PERSICKE / The Reveille
Student Heath Center worker Emily Caire explains the activity March 21 outside the LSU Library in Baton Rouge, La.
ENTERTAINMENT BOW DOWN
Miss LSU crowns 2025 pageant winner
BY ARIS WILLIAMS
Staff Writer
Remi Landry, a mass communication major from Friendswood, Texas, won this year’s Miss LSU Pageant after an electric showcase.
“This experience has been nothing short of incredible,” Landry said upon receiving her crown. “Thank you to Delta Zeta and the entire production team. This is one of the greatest honors I’ve had in my life, and I look forward to fulfilling my duties as Miss LSU.”
Landry is 19 years old and a member of Kappa Delta at LSU. She enjoys equestrian riding, sewing, baking and giving back to the community.
“The world has so much to offer, and I refuse to take any opportunity for granted,” Landry’s pageant bio reads. “When I discovered this pageant, it became my focus — not just to win but to build friendships and grow in confidence.”
Hosted annually by Delta Zeta since 1998, the Miss LSU pageant is the largest philanthropic fundraiser on LSU’s campus. This year’s pageant was held on March 23 in the Student Union Theatre and raised over $90,000.
Nikhia Sims, Miss LSU 2024, is a junior pursuing a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in pre-physician assistant. Sims has been in the pageant world showcasing her talents and passion for the stage since age five.
She’s looking forward to passing the crown, since the Miss LSU pageant means so much to her.
“I’ve met so many people from many walks of life and made connections that will last a lifetime,” Sims said. “This pageant is so important, because it’s for a great cause and fosters confidence in the young women that participate in it.”
Sims utilized her time as Miss LSU to be an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness. She uses enthusiasm to empower others and make a positive impact on not only LSU but everyone she meets. She hopes this year’s winner will follow in her footsteps.
“Use this position to do as much good as you possibly can,” Sims said.
The Miss LSU Pageant is nationally recognized as a part of the Miss USA circuit and is a preliminary to the Miss LouisianaUSA Pageant. Miss LSU contestants are judged in four equal categories: personal interview, swimsuit, evening gown and an on-stage question.
The pageant aims to be a positive experience that helps contestants sharpen their skills in health, fitness, beauty, poise and interviewing.
This year’s pageant featured 42 contestants from all over the world who study dozens of different majors; however, only 12 girls make it to the semifinals. Each contestant brought their own unique flair to the competitions.
Five candidates move on to become finalists. This year’s were Averi Crawford, Layla Figures, Remi Landry, Ella Cantrell and Kira Ekukpe.
Molly Gallapsy won Miss Congeniality, Abry Layrisson won Miss Photogenic, Victoria Williams won Miss My LSU, Taylor Watkins won best swimsuit, Ella Cantrell won best interview and Layla Figures won best evening gown.
Layla Figures spoke of how pivotal her journey in the pageant has been for her.
“This pageant has been different from any other that I’ve competed in,” Figures said. “I felt so loved and joyous through the entire process and appreciate everyone I’ve come to meet.”
The pageant began with an opening number performed by the girls, and each contestant introduced themselves, sharing their contestant numbers, hometowns, majors and why they deserved the crown.
The first round was the swimsuit competition, with each contestant’s special interests and favorite activities being announced
as they strutted the stage, showing off their physiques. This round offered a glimpse into the contestants’ personalities and the approaches they take to stay grounded throughout their time at LSU.
The evening gown portion was next, with the host sharing each contestant’s personal values, life mottos and greatest accomplishments. The 12 semifinalists were chosen and moved on to the on-stage question round.
In this portion, contestants
were asked which of the three values that LSU emphasizes (scholarship, leadership or service) resonates with them the most and how they embody it in their daily lives. Answers were then scored based on their knowledge of the chosen topic and the intelligence that went into their responses.
In the past, Miss LSU has donated thousands of dollars to local and national philanthropies such as the St. Lillian Academy, Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center and many more.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MISS LSU
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK REESE
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK REESE
LSU gymnastics wins SEC Championship on March 22 at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Al.
LSU gymnasts take a group photo on stage after LSU’s SEC Championship win.
Graduate student Sierra Ballard performs on floor.
Photos by Payton Prichard
All-around sophomore Amari Drayton performs on floor.
All-around senior Aleah Finnegan walks out before LSU’s SEC Championship win.
All-around graduate student Haleigh Bryant competes on floor.
LSU gymnasts celebrate after LSU’s SEC Championship win.
All-around graduate student Alyona Shchennikova celebrates after LSU’s SEC Championship win.
BOIL BRAWL: Where to get the best crawfish in Baton Rouge?
BY ASHLYNN BAILLIO Staff Writer
Crawfish season is in full swing, and Baton Rouge offers no shortage of places to get a fix.
Seafood spots are serving up pounds of Louisiana’s favorite crustacean all across the city; however, not all crawfish are created equal. To find the best spot, four local restaurants were put to the test. Here’s how they stacked up:
Fred’s Bar and Grill
Fred’s Bar and Grill, located at 1184 Bob Pettit Blvd, offers a popular weekend tradition among LSU students known as Crawfish Sunday; however, the crawfish itself leaves something to be desired.
Prices start at $15 for three pounds, but they increase to $20 by Sunday with the purchase of a Fred’s Lineleap pass. Each order includes corn and potatoes, along with Cane’s sauce for dipping. The crawfish are boiled with oranges and whole heads of garlic that also make their way onto your tray.
Despite these ingredients, the flavor is not as strong as expected and the spice level is lacking, yet the Cane’s sauce pairs very well with the crawfish. For what Fred’s lacks in flavor, it makes up for with ambiance. The college bar offers a great atmosphere for a casual Sunday hangout with friends. For those looking for a social spot rather than the best tasting crawfish, it’s definitely still worth checking out.
Crawfish on the Geaux Sammy’s Crawfish King
For those who prefer takeout, Crawfish on the Geaux, located off Perkins Road across from Purple Cow, is a convenient option.
At $7.49 per pound, it’s reasonably priced. Extras like corn and potatoes cost an additional $2.49, and canned drinks are $1.50. The takeout crawfish truck also doesn’t offer any remoulade or dipping sauce.
The crawfish have a nice flavor but aren’t as spicy as expected. Since it’s take-out only, they tend to get cold quickly, which can take away from the experience. For a quick dinner to enjoy at home, it’s a solid choice, but it lacks the atmosphere of a sit-down boil.
Tony’s Seafood Market and Deli
As the largest seafood market in Louisiana, Tony’s Seafood Market and Deli sets itself apart from any other seafood market in Baton Rouge.
The shop once began as a go-to for produce in the city, but Tony Pizzola, owner and Baton Rouge na tive, soon realized his seafood was outselling the produce. Tony’s Seafood is now known to sell as much as 50 thousand pounds of live and boiled crawfish in a single day.
For the fair balance of price, flavor and variety, Tony’s Seafood takes the top spot. Located at 5215 Plank Road, Tony’s Seafood offers crawfish at an affordable price of $5.89 per pound. The only downside is that the restaurant does not include corn or potatoes in the boil, but sides are available separately.
Tony’s Seafood has an impressive selection of seafood options beyond crawfish including plate lunches like red beans and rice, boudin balls and jambalaya. The crawfish are well-seasoned with the perfect amount of spice, and the remoulade is a must-try. Since the seafood market is takeout only, the full sit down experience isn’t available. For the authentic quality and value, Tony’s Seafood is hard to beat.
Sammy’s Crawfish King, located off S. Foster Drive, delivers a solid experience for crawfish lovers.
The outdoor seating area is a great spot to gather with friends, and the walk-up counter service makes for a laid-back dining experience. The restaurant offers a large selection of canned and bottled drinks, with both takeout and dine-in options provided.
The crawfish at Sammy’s pack a flavorful punch, leaning towards the spicier side. They offer a three pound tray for $21.99 that includes one corn, one potato and a hard boiled egg. The most popular order is a single pound of crawfish for $8.99 that includes one corn and one potato.
The restaurant offers a butter sauce and remoulade on the side that elevates the flavor perfectly. Overall, Sammy’s Crawfish King is a great spot for those who love bold flavors and
When it comes to crawfish in Baton Rouge, the options are plentiful, but the experience varies widely. Whether seeking bold spice, budget-friendly prices or a lively atmosphere, each spot offers something unique.
Tony’s Seafood stands out for its unbeatable combination of flavor and value, while Sammy’s Crawfish King delivers on spice and ambiance. Crawfish on the Geaux provides a quick and convenient option, and Fred’s Crawfish Sunday is a go-to for social gatherings. No matter the preference, there’s a crawfish spot in Baton Rouge to satisfy every craving this season.
SPORTS MADNESS BEGINS.
LSU
BY TYLER HARDEN Staff Writer
With seven minutes left in the first quarter, Flau’jae Johnson came away with a steal. She turned it into a layup and blew a kiss to the student section.
“I just had to do me,” Johnson said.
Johnson returned to the floor Saturday night after not having played since Feb. 27. Saturday night, she helped LSU to a 103-48 win over San Diego State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The junior guard made her presence known as early as possible, knocking down a three to give the Tigers their first points. She finished with 22 points, shooting 9-of-15 (60%) from the field and 4-of-7 (57.1%) from three.
“I was nervous at first,” Johnson said. “But then I hit that three, got the steal. I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m back, I’m back for sure.”
She was also effective on
basketball downs SDSU in first round of March Madness
the defensive end, totaling four steals on the night, two of which she took the distance for scores.
As they have all season, Mikaylah Williams and Aneesah Morrow were right there with her. Williams made three shots from behind the arc and finished with 13 points. She shot 4-of-7 (57.1%) from the field with five rebounds.
Morrow protected the paint, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds to notch another double-double. She also added three assists. Her double-double performance Saturday night makes her 28th of the season, which leads the country.
“I feel like I underperformed, honestly, I hold myself to a high standard,” Morrow said. “[I] feel like I could’ve done better focusing around the basket and finishing. [I] could’ve gotten more boards and actually got in the passing lane more as well.”
Johnson’s opening three was the first of several for LSU, as the Tigers shot 10-of-18 (55.6%) from behind the arc. Shayeann
Day-Wilson gave LSU three more 3-pointers, and she finished with 11 points.
One guard, however, shined in a different way instead of from 3-point land.
For not having ever played in March Madness before, Mjracle Sheppard found her place quickly. She finished with 10 points on 4-of-4 (100%) shooting, two assists and a steal.
One of the Aztecs’ strengths going into Saturday night’s matchup was its guard play. Along with the offensive production from its guards, the Tigers’ perimeter defense prevented San Diego State from having any consistency on offense.
Aalyah Del Rosario added nine points and seven rebounds off the bench.
The Aztecs shot 18-of-56 (32.1%) from the field and 3-of22 (13.6%) from three. LSU forced 19 turnovers from San Diego State. Adryana Quezada led the Aztecs with eight points.
“It’s just us really locking down and really keeping with
our defensive principles,” DayWilson said. “I think we did a great job tonight.”
On the other hand, the Tigers shot 36-of-72 (50%) from the field and had just 11 turnovers. Along with knocking down shots from behind the arc, LSU’s guards drove into the paint and forced San Diego State’s post players to make a play.
Overall, the Tigers played the game they’re used to: fast, efficient and relatively consistent.
LSU scored 15 fastbreak points and grabbed 36 defensive rebounds to put its offense in motion.
No. 6-seeded Florida State defeated No. 11-seeded George Mason 94-59 before the Tigers took the floor against the Aztecs.
The Seminoles play just as fast as LSU does. The two will go head-to-head in a win-or-gohome Monday night matchup at the PMAC in the Round of 32.
The game will tip off at 5 p.m.
Florida State comes in with Ta’Niya Laston, who leads the
country in scoring with 24.9 points per game. Against the Patriots, she led the Seminoles with 28 points while shooting 8-of-16 (50%) from the field.
“We need to be able to pack the paint,” Morrow said. “That’s where she likes to get a lot of her shots.”
So, just as the emphasis was placed on the Tigers’ guards on Saturday night, it will be again on Monday. This time, their task will be to contain a player that teams often struggle with.
“Obviously we have to make an emphasis on guarding her and guarding everybody else,” Williams said. “They’re really athletic and long, and they crash the boards hard. We have to do what we do.”
In March, however, all a team needs is momentum and confidence. LSU has both of those and is riding it into Monday.
“They’re a great team, but we’re a great team, too,” DayWilson said. “Come Monday, we’ll see who the better team is.”
LSU women’s basketball guard Flau’Jae Johnson (4) celebrates during LSU’s 94-88 overtime win against Stanford on Dec. 5 in Baton Rouge, La. PAYTON PRICHARD / The Reveille
women’s
Can LSU slow down Florida State’s offense?
BY TRE ALLEN Staff Writer
As the road to Tampa continues for LSU, so do the challenges that come with it.
Two games were played in the PMAC on Saturday night. The first resulted in a victory for the No. 6 Florida State Seminoles over No. 11 George Mason, 94-59. The second game went to No. 3 LSU, defeating No. 14 San Diego State 103-48.
The top two seeds in Baton Rouge showed their dominance early and will face to advance to the Sweet 16.
Although the Tigers have the benefit of having home court in this game, the Seminoles possess a variety of skills and talent that may give LSU some trouble in the round of 32.
The first thing that pops off the screen is the scoring.
The Seminoles are currently ranked No. 2 in the country for points per game at 87.4 on the season. Florida State plays with an extremely fast pace.
During the game against the Patriots, head coach Brooke Wyckoff, in her gold pants and high heels, yelled, ran and motioned her team to push the ball down court after a miss to maximize opportunities to score.
Wyckoff’s play style has translated well throughout her team as four different Seminoles average more than 10 points per game.
They rank inside the top 35 for 3-point attempts at 24.8 per game and top 20 for 3-pointers made at
TENNIS
8.7. But they also have the ability to get inside and use their athletic ability.
“They’re very athletic,” LSU guard Jada Richard said. “They rebound the ball really well. No. 1 scoring in the nation, leading the nation in points per game, so really got to lock in defensively and also just get on the boards.”
Ta’Niya Latson, the 5-foot-8 junior guard from Miami, Florida, not only leads her team in scoring but the country as well.
Latson enters this game averaging an astonishing 25 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
The nation’s leading scorer has all the weapons in her arsenal to make her an elite scorer. She uses her speed to go downhill and drive to the basket. Seven of her eight made baskets came inside the 3-point line.
“We need to be able to pack the paint, because that’s where she likes to get a lot of her shots,” Aneesah Morrow said.
While shooting on the perimeter isn’t her strong suit, she can still take and make threes. At most, she would take three attempts beyond the arch but makes them fairly efficiently at 35.7%.
“Ta’Niya Latson requires five LSU players to guard her,” Mikaylah Williams said.
Latson establishes the pick and roll with her bigs such as Makayla Timpson, able to either knife her way to the basket or playmake and find her teammates rolling to the basket.
“It’s their dribble penetra-
tion that creates a lot of things,” Mulkey said. “They’re so long, they’re athletic, they’re a handful.”
Timpson is someone who tends to get overshadowed by her teammate in Latson but is one of the most impactful players in the tournament.
First, she averages a doubledouble at 17.6 points and 10.7 rebounds per game while shooting 54.5% from the field.
The length of Timpson allows her to have a big radius to catch the ball inside, where she can use
her soft touch inside to get close shots at the basket.
She also gets a lot of her points by snatching offensive rebounds and getting second chance opportunities for her team, but the biggest thing comes from what she does on the defensive side.
As a team, Florida State ranks No. 5 in the country for blocks per game at 5.8 and Timpson is the catalyst.
Along with her impressive double-double, she also averages 3.2 blocks and 1.8 steals per game.
Her ability to time her opponent’s shot and send it into the crowd is what makes her so great. Standing at 6-foot-2, she brings good size and length, but her athletic ability to challenge shots and disrupt the game on the defensive end is what she brings to the game.
While the Seminoles have established themselves as one of premier scoring teams in the country, be sure to watch out what they do on the defensive end as well.
City hosts world-renowned wheelchair tennis tournament
BY AINSLEY FLOOD Staff Writer
Tiebreakers are an integral part of tennis.
If a best-of-three match comes to a draw, a third-set tiebreaker decides the winner. The first team to 10 with a lead of at least two wins. It can be one of the most brutal yet exhilarating aspects of the sport.
Wheelchair tennis is no exception.
Down after the first set, 19-year-old Sydney Fowler and her doubles partner came back in the second, advancing to a thirdset tiebreaker. Points went back and forth until Fowler hit the winner to make it 12-10, and the duo were officially on to the Cajun Classic’s Division C semifinal.
“It was very stressful, definitely a roller coaster, but we pulled through in the end,” Fowler said.
The very windy semifinal match on Sunday afternoon turned into another nail-biter. They had the better start and claimed set one, but lost the momentum in the second. Their match would go down to the tie -
breaker—again.
The third set was pure deja vu as neither team could keep the lead, but eventually, Fowler’s duo punched their ticket to the final.
A sophomore at Clemson, she
plays for the university’s own wheelchair tennis team. She traveled with her team and parents to compete in one of the sport’s largest tournaments in the world, which takes place every year right here in Baton Rouge.
Fowler is one of 100 wheelchair athletes, ranging from amateurs to pros, who flock to the South for the world-class event.
Wheelchair tennis is one of many adaptive sports that have their own leagues, levels and tournaments around the globe.
Fowler has been vocal online about her life after becoming paralyzed at 13 and gives perspective on life as a paraplegic student-athlete.
“It provides us an outlet,” Fowler said. “Sports were taken from a lot of us, so to have this amazing community is better than I could have ever imagined.”
Last week, the 34th annual Cajun Classic kicked off at the Paula G. Manship YMCA and Highland Road courts, bringing together disabled athletes of all skill levels for a spirited and welcoming tournament that blended competition with camaraderie.
The tournament director, Jennifer Edmonson, started as a volunteer almost 30 years ago. The hospital where she worked was a sponsor, so she signed up. Five years later, she was spearheading the event and never looked back.
In the decades since the tournament’s birth, the Cajun Classic has only grown. With a growing number of athletes, the event is recognized as a “Super Series,” which is one step down from a grand slam.
The brackets are split into multiple categories depending on age, gender and ranking. Skill level places you in an A, B, C or D division with A being the most advanced.
There is also a “quad” division for quadriplegic athletes who have a disability that affects the functioning of their upper limbs as well.
A senior on the Clemson team, Mckenna Woodhead, is one of those athletes. Like many quad players, she tapes the racket to her hand for matches due to her limited grip strength.
It may look a little different, but the tennis is the same. The one major rule change from standing tennis is the allowance for two bounces of the ball, but many of the pro athletes don’t use it.
ALEXIS PERSICKE / The Reveille
LSU women’s basketball guard Flau’Jae Johnson (4) runs with the ball Feb. 20 during the team’s 79-63 win against Georgia at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, La.
COURTESY OF SYDNEY FOWLER
COURTESY OF SYDNEY FOWLER
CLASSIC, from page 10
As adaptive sports continue to expand at the collegiate level, more university programs like Clemson compete in the Classic.
Although this is only her second Cajun Classic, Fowler’s seen the growth.
“I haven’t been playing that long, but I was here last year, and seeing so much improvement in a year is really encouraging,” Fowler said.
Even though the player pool is widening, the wheelchair tennis community remains tightknit. Everybody is friends with everybody—like one big family reunion with first-timers immediately welcomed into the mix.
“We are very proud to say that we have a very family-oriented atmosphere,” Edmonson said. “We have a crawfish boil because, let’s face it, we’re in Baton Rouge.”
As big as it’s gotten, the tournament still prioritizes southern hospitality, providing a seafood boil, fish fry, jambalaya and more at the courts this year.
“We do try to not lose that,” Edmonson said. “Even though we have a very professional event, we want to keep that family thing, because that’s how it started, and that’s how it’ll always be for us.”
That community is one of the biggest draws for players like
Fowler.
According to her father, Fowler was an athlete before her paralysis and is still one after because adaptive sports like wheelchair tennis help her to maintain an active lifestyle.
She also has her own clothing business called “Single Soul” and is pursuing a degree in business marketing and a minor in entrepreneurship.
“Everybody’s just motivated to get out there and live life a little bit,” her father, Jeremy Fowler, said. “I think that’s why she loves doing sports and competitions. Winning is cool, but it’s really more about being around motivated people who are trying to be better and better.”
Fowler’s finals match was destined to be anything but simple, and so it was. After two sets, the score was tied.
Ultimately, she and her partner would lose the third by two points and finish the tournament as the runners-up. Win or lose, Fowler’s spirit remains unbreakable, just like so many of these players.
“I’m just excited to see where I am next year,” Sydney said. “I’m just here to get better every single year, and I’m doing that.”
Tiebreakers are a reflection of resilience. It’s not just about ability, but the will to fight for every point, and that’s what this sport is all about.
BY ETHAN STENGER Sports Editor
The Reveille Athlete of the Week is LSU gymnast Kailin Chio.
The Tigers won their secondconsecutive 2025 SEC Gymnastics Championship largely due to Chio’s efforts. The all-around freshman scored no lower than a 9.850 on all four events, including two 9.950s on floor and uneven bars.
With her 9.900 on vault and 9.850 on beam, Chio totaled a 39.550 all-around score on the night. Her 39.670 NQS ties her for fifth best in the nation with Florida’s Selena Harris-Miranda.
Chio’s stardom has made her an overnight LSU sensation. She beat teammate Haleigh Bryant’s program record for the most SEC Freshman of the Week awards with nine, including seven consecutive weeks in which she brought home the prize.
In a season where the quantity of perfect scores is so infrequent, Chio performed the first perfect 10 of her collegiate career last week when she stuck her opening vault rotation to power her Tigers to a 198.200-197.550 victory over Auburn.
LSU awaits the regional bracket’s release on Monday morning before it makes its final postseason push. The Selection Show will air on ESPNU at 11 a.m.
CAJUN
OPINION
Taking a gap year lends perspective Here’s how to avoid red flags on dating apps
POV
FRANCIS Columnist
There comes a time in everyone’s life when making plans comes with a lovely bouquet of what-ifs.
After spending a semester of my junior year as well as the entirety of my senior year of high school online, I took a chance and did what was once traditionally done by kin of celebrities, politicians and the one-percenters: I took a gap year.
Initially, when applying to potential universities, the idea of taking a gap year never crossed my mind. However, after living through 2020, a time of uncertainty, social chaos and political strife, I was less hesitant to take a year off.
That might sound jarring to some, but I don’t believe in pushing yourself until you have nothing left to give. My gap year allowed me to rest and reset. It was the first time I could analyze everything from kindergarten to senior year.
I guess that would’ve fallen into the category of social distancing, but I don’t harp on the past. Honestly, the thought of picking up my entire life and moving to Baton Rouge, hundreds of miles away from my family, hurt my stomach.
So, I put together a slideshow of what the next year of my life would look like for me as a high
school graduate and stay-at-home daughter. After receiving my parents’ support, I instantly felt a weight lifted off my shoulders.
Remember that everyone’s gap year looks different, but here’s what I did. I implemented self-care like having a consistent Pilates schedule, earthing and lounging poolside. But my days weren’t just full of fruity little drinks and zen.
I enrolled in a writer’s course, published articles for my blog and collaborated with brands such as Frances Valentine New York and Kendra Scott, hosting events and creating content highlighting their products.
It was a year of being creative and building skills that I’d eventually put to work at LSU. Also, during this time, my podcast “Unbothered with Ava Madison” came to be. Recording episodes about celebrities, fashion and cinema, I deepened my pop culture knowledge.
I’ve always been intrigued by the world of entertainment, but it wasn’t until my gap year that I gave myself the title of pop culture enthusiast.
Nevertheless, the beauty of taking a gap year is exploration, which can be hard to do when you have due dates and other responsibilities take a higher priority in your life.
As this semester comes to an end, some of you are saying goodbye to LSU and venturing off into the real world. To all who are graduating, if the idea of taking some
time off is intriguing, I’m here to tell you to say “yes.”
What’s stopping you from booking a one-way trip to your dream destination and living a life of beach days and sunset swims? If there’s a time to live, it’s now. You’re young, healthy and blessed to be alive.
Don’t get it twisted; while an international trip is exciting, it isn’t necessary. You don’t have to go abroad to live your best life. If you want to venture stateside or spend time with your family and friends from the comfort of your hometown, go for it.
If my gap year taught me anything, it was to break the status quo. Don’t worry about what your fellow peers or TikTok influencers are doing. Bills, relationships, and cubicles will always be there, but your chance to do something special is not.
After my gap year, I came to LSU refreshed and ready for the next four years. I took chances that my 18-year-old self might’ve never had the guts to go for, but my 19-year-old self sure did. I needed to get to know myself better.
Sometimes, it takes one more year to make you exactly who you need to be to get through what’s up ahead. A gap year is something worth giving a chance if you’re debating it, so, don’t count it out just yet.
Ava Francis is a 22-year-old journalism major from New Orleans residing in Texas.
GARRETT’S GAVEL
GARRETT MCENTEE Columnist
The modern dating world is as complex as it is hellish and fun. Dating apps are offered to us as a way to see through their scratched, rose-tinted glasses. Spoiler: dating apps are not simplifying the game, they’re making it 100 times more complicated.
Organic meet-cutes are dead. Meanwhile, apps are convenient and perfect for the average, busy college student. While you scroll, you know immediately that there’s some physical attraction, and that’s half the work, right? Well, yeah.
Nevertheless, dating apps are dangerous for a plethora of reasons, including catfishing, demon frat boys, “Jennifer’s Body”-esque killer queens and many manners of generally unfavorable characters.
But fear not, sweet summer child, this old, 19-year-old heart has seen many things, lived many winters and loved more times than my soul remembers. And today, I endeavor to give unto you the hard-earned knowledge of how to spot dating app devils.
First, never just swipe left and right based on the first photo. If you’re that naïve, I fear you’re too far gone already. Ensure that you analyze a profile thoroughly. However, even if you’re not attracted to the user, you can sometimes have a good laugh at a person’s creative choices for their bio and the like.
Now, onto the real tips. For starters, always look at your match’s “love language.” If it says “touch,” they want to have loose, casual relations. There’s no shame in that game, but if you, dear reader, are looking for the love of your
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life, maybe it’s in the next swipe.
Are there exceptions to this rule? Maybe. At the least, your lucky match probably wants to “hang out” at theirs much sooner than what is normal.
Look at me with both eyes. If that future lover’s profile has “conservative” on it, you have two options. Leave it to the “male loneliness epidemic,” or swipe right and punish that individual for their poor decisions. Do not try to fix them; it’s too late.
Another thing of note is an overabundance of memes in a profile. One can be tasteful, two is a little much; any more than that, and you’re looking at a joke. Leave it there, unlaughed at.
Too many memes typically means that they’re trying too hard to be funny, and nobody wants a comedic try-hard. It could also mean that they’re shy about their face, which I get; alas, it’s gonna be seen one day, so it might as well be immediately.
Another awful red flag is if they have the trendy “ruin my life,” or “let me ruin your life.” It’s cringy and gross. In the same vein, is anyone begging for a “mentally ill [insert applicable gender here.]” Once again, cringy and gross. It just reeks of toxicity and perversion.
My next tip is nitpicky but nonetheless applicable. Don’t swipe if they have grammatical errors in their bio. That’s so embarrassing. Maybe match and message them that they need to download Grammarly.
Oh, and obviously, don’t match with someone if they have horns, cloven hooves, a serpentine tongue and a fetching tail, no matter how tempting, because that person is either a goat or an actual devil.
Garrett McEntee is a 19-year-old English sophomore from Benton, La.
Quote of the Week
“If you’re afraid to move forward you will stay in the same place, my bro.” Ashton Hall American gymfluencer 1995 — present
The Reveille
GRAPHIC BY AVA FRANCIS