Ashleigh Gnat, remarkably one of the greatest gymnasts in LSU history, is returning to the program.
But this time, she’ll be doing so as an assistant coach.
She will join new Tigers head coach Jay Clark’s staff after being an assistant coach at Penn State last season.
Gnat finished her collegiate career in 2017, and left as one of the greatest LSU athletes of all-time. During her time in Baton Rouge, she was an All-American 17 times, a four-time SEC champion in floor, vault, and beam, while recording a perfect 10 score nine times.
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Her senior year, she was awarded the 2017 AAI Award, which is given to the top senior gymnast at the NCAA level.
The former Tigers great won 62 individual titles during her tenure with the Tigers, and was the recipient of the 2017 Corbett Award, given to the top male and female athletes in the state of Louisiana.
Her senior year was her best as she won a school-record 12 floor exercise titles.
Returning to LSU as an assistant coach will provide Gnat with the opportunity to teach and mentor the current LSU gymnasts on their quest for more individual titles, and more importantly, a national championship.
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Gnat’s occupation with the staff puts her coaching the balance beam, a portion of the sport that she strongly competed in while a member of the team.
Following the retirement of legendary coach D-D Breaux, a spot had to be filled after Clark accepted the head coach position. While the school interviewed many candidates, Gnat was the perfect fit.
Her legacy at LSU will never be forgotten, and now she gets a chance to make more memories, this time while coaching the team instead of competing.
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