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After leading LSU Gymnastics to its first national championship in program history, Haleigh Bryant will return to the Tigers for her final year of eligibility in 2025.
“After talking with my family, my coaches and my teammates, it was just a really good opportunity,” Bryant said. “I love gymnastics. It's been a part of my life for so long, and I don't think I was really ready for it to end.”
The 2024 AAI Award Winner, SEC Gymnast of the Year and finalist for the Honda Sport Award, Bryant capped off her senior campaign as an NCAA all-around champion and national champion, cementing herself among LSU athletic royalty. It’s only fitting she wear a crown.
After nationals, Bryant expected to call it a career. Her resume was unparalleled, accomplishing nearly everything she sought to accomplish from both a team and individual level. But head coach Jay Clark’s vision for the program, and the ability to really build something special, not just in one season, but multiple seasons, made this decision an attractive one.
Combine that with an unrivaled passion for LSU, an unquenchable love for gymnastics, and an unselfish group committed to winning, an attractive decision became an easy one.
“LSU means everything,” Bryant said. “It's been my dream to come to LSU since I was 12 years old. Just getting the opportunity to wear these two colors has been a dream. I really just wanted to give it one more go with (Jay Clark) and try to go back-to-back now.”
Greatness can be boring: The all time perfect 10 leader in LSU history (18). The highest all-around score in school history (39.925). The only LSU gymnast to earn three 10’s in one meet. The first LSU gymnast to record a gym slam (a perfect score on every event).
It’s easy to take for granted. When you enter the PMAC in 2025, celebrate greatness.
Every stick. Every 10. Every title. Celebrate greatness because it doesn’t come around often.
“A team national championship is going to be in the forefront of my mind, as well as an SEC championship,” Bryant said of her return. “Individually, I just want to enjoy it. It's going to be my last year of gymnastics, for real this time. So just enjoying the sport that's been a part of my life for so long now and just making memories and enjoying it is something that I really look forward to.”
Consistency is what sets Bryant apart. Many are great at what they do, fewer are consistently great, and that’s exactly what the Cornelius, N.C. native has been for LSU Gymnastics, owning 154 scores of 9.900 or better in her career. In 2024, she has recorded 10 meets with scores of 9.9+ or higher on every event and only tallied two scores lower than a 9.850.
It’s that level of consistency that helped push a program that’s been so close to the top of the mountain, to its peak as national champions.
“It means the world,” Bryant said. “I still don't even think I can put it into words. Bringing it back to LSU, bringing it back to Louisiana – it's a thank you. They always say you honor somebody with your actions, and we wanted to do it for every single person that supported us and been there for us along the way.”
To Tiger fans, who have given LSU Gymnastics incredible support all year long.
To every season ticket holder, to every fan who has ever watched a meet, or been to the PMAC on a Friday night.
The best collegiate gymnast in America has a message for you:
”Thank you for supporting me, always wanting the best for me, and never giving up on me and my team. It wasn't an easy journey. There were highs, there were lows, and a lot of adversity. You never gave up on us. Thank you for bringing the love and support every single Friday night in the PMAC. I want to do it again, for myself, but also for you. I want to keep honoring you with my actions, because you mean so much to me, and have done so much for me.”
Other LSU News:
The Buzz: The Latest on LSU's Search for Defensive Tackles via the NCAA Transfer Portal
The Additions: Kim Mulkey, LSU Add Coveted Newcomers to 2024-25 Roster
The Latest on the No. 1 DT Transfer Simeon Barrow After LSU Visit
Join the Community:
Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Country: @LSUCountry_FN for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.
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TODAY'S BEST
Why Yankees' trade for All-Star 3B is disappointing
The New York Yankees’ first move ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline falls a bit flat. They traded two prospects most fans have never heard of to acquire Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon, a lackluster move that indicates New York is throwing in the towel on the 2025 season. McMahon is an upgrade — but only a slight one. Yankees GM Brian Cashman replaced a .147 hitter in Oswald Peraza with a .217 hitter in McMahon, who also happens to lead the National League in strikeouts (127). But really, New York just added another Anthony Volpe — one of the biggest problems in the Bombers’ lineup — to the left side of their infield. The two infielders’ 2025 stats tell virtually the same sad tale: McMahon: .217/.314/.403, 16 home runs Volpe: .214/.286/.400, 13 home runs The Yankees should have risked a top prospect or two for Arizona Diamondbacks power-hitting third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A 2026 free agent, Suarez is a rental, but with his .252/.325/.593 slash line, 33 home runs and MLB-leading 86 RBI, he’d be a huge upgrade at third base, rather than a slight one. Instead, the Yankees opted for a player who they’ll have control over until 2028 and cost them almost nothing to acquire. Apparently, they believe McMahon will prove valuable in the long run, based on his advanced analytics. After all, he’s been crushing the ball in 2025, averaging a 94 mph exit velocity. However, his ability to hit the ball hard doesn’t mean he’s just been unlucky this year, as his xBA is just .232 — not too far below his .240 career actual batting average. Compare that to another guy who’s known for hitting the ball hard in Yankees first baseman Ben Rice, who is hitting just .232 but has an xBA of .289. It doesn’t matter how hard McMahon hits the ball if he tends to hit it directly at a fielder. There’s still a week until the trade deadline, but don’t expect the Yankees to make any truly splashy moves. Suarez was the better choice to fix New York’s third base issues, and their pivot to McMahon was disappointing.
Trade rejection speaks volumes about Red Sox's Jarren Duran intentions
The Boston Red Sox appear to have no interest in trading outfielder Jarren Duran, at least not in the near future. Trade rumors have swirled around Duran for most of the season, especially after designated hitter Rafael Devers was traded to the Giants. However, Sean McAdam from MassLive reported that the Red Sox may wait until the offseason before moving on from the former All-Star. The decision to wait on Duran is not due to a lack of offers. McAdam also reported that the Padres made a significant offer for Duran involving pitcher Dylan Cease, catching prospect Ethan Salas and another unnamed prospect. That offer was quickly rejected. The Padres have long coveted Duran. McAdam had previously reported that the Padres have been "relentless" in their pursuit of the Red Sox outfielder. The reported trade offer including Salas, the Padres second-best prospect and the 21st-best prospect in baseball per MLB.com, illustrates how serious they are about acquiring Duran. Likewise, the Red Sox's refusal to entertain such an offer, even as a starting point for negotiations, speaks volumes about their interest in moving Duran. The Padres' offer would help solve several problems for the Red Sox in both the present and future. Moving Duran would help clear up the logjam in the outfield, while Cease and Salas would respectively improve the back of their rotation and provide a possible cornerstone behind the plate going forward. Duran is a valuable trade chip as he is under team control through 2028. He has also taken a step back in production from his stellar showing in 2024, posting a respectable .254/.321/.428 batting line in 459 plate appearances entering Friday, with nine homers and 25 doubles while stealing 16 bases. That production would be an upgrade for several teams looking to improve their outfield going forward. The question is whether or not the Red Sox will be realistic in their asking price for Duran. Considering how quickly the Padres' offer was reportedly rejected, that may not be the case.
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan leaves behind a complicated legacy
On Thursday, wrestling icon Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea died at the age of 71. "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the company said in a statement. "One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s... WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans." Hogan was the first true superstar to emerge in the wrestling industry, capturing a casual audience worldwide and bringing new eyes to the sport. He was an unbelievable draw, both as a baby face and as a heel. From his time as an All-American hero to leading the New World Order and teaming with Randy Savage as part of the "Mega Powers," he has been a staple of the scene for decades. Who can forget his WrestleMania III moment, where he defied the laws of physics to body-slam a 520-pound Andre the Giant? Or, more recently, his match with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at WrestleMania 18? His last appearance on WWE RAW on Jan. 6 saw him booed throughout, highlighting the rocky legacy Hogan leaves behind. Hogan's universal popularity has plummeted in recent years, primarily due to a racism scandal that led to his removal from the Wrestling Hall of Fame, only to be reinstated in 2018. Nevertheless, the damage had been done. Hogan's outdated and unwelcome outlook on specific aspects of life derailed the final stanza of a legendary career. Still, there's no denying that without Hogan, the wrestling we know and love today wouldn't exist. There wouldn't be WWE on the world's largest streaming platform, or All Elite Wrestling, which is developing into one of the most successful challenger brands. Instead, there would be smaller, more localized promotions, all competing for a sliver of television time. Hogan popularized the sport by bridging the gap between the wrestling ring and Hollywood. During his time in the spotlight, Hogan appeared in movies such as "Rocky III," "No Holds Barred" and "Suburban Commando," all of which helped bring his larger-than-life persona to a new audience. It's no surprise, then, that The Rock, John Cena and Dave Bautista have all made similar jumps in recent years. Hogan leaves behind an everlasting imprint on the wrestling world. Unfortunately, it comes with multiple asterisks; however, that doesn't change what he achieved as the first global wrestling star.
Falcons WR dealing with concerning injury early in training camp
The Atlanta Falcons offense was dealt an unfortunate injury early in training camp on Friday. Per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, wide receiver Darnell Mooney suffered a shoulder injury and will miss significant time during the preseason. "Falcons WR Darnell Mooney has a shoulder injury and will miss a few weeks," Pelissero posted on X. Per Josh Kendall of The Athletic, the injury occurred when Mooney dove to make a catch at practice. He had to be helped off the field by fellow receiver Drake London. "Mooney dove/fell trying to catch a deep ball and stayed down for half a second before being helped up by Drake London and walking off normally so I don't think this is necessarily a reaction to that but we should have an update in the AM," Kendall posted on X. The timing is unfortunate for Mooney, who is entering his sixth season in the NFL. The 2020 fifth-round pick by the Chicago Bears will miss the opportunity to gain chemistry with quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who is set to be the Falcons' full-time starter in the upcoming season. Mooney had his second-best season in 2024, catching 64 passes for 992 yards. He caught a career-high five touchdowns for Atlanta last season when the team had Kirk Cousins under center. Mooney is expected to be one of Penix's top targets in 2025. Mooney was the Falcons' second leading receiver last season, trailing only London for the most receiving yards (1,271). With Mooney sidelined by the injury, the Falcons will have an opportunity for another receiver to step up. Atlanta is also taking a chance on DJ Chark, a one-time Pro Bowler who has one 1,000-yard season on his resume. Atlanta has 13 receivers on the roster: Ray-Ray McCloud III, Nick Nash, Jamal Agnew, Casey Washington, KhaDarel Hodge, Quincy Skinner Jr., Chris Blair, David Sills, Makai Polk, Jesse Matthews, Dylan Drummond, London and Mooney.
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