Geographic Supremacy Leads to Domination for Arkansas, LSU
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – When the Arkansas Razorbacks and LSU Tigers battle it out in a pivotal Top 10 showdown in Baton Rouge tonight, it will be a clash of gymnastics super powers.
For those not familiar with the world of gymnastics, it might seem strange that a pair of Bible belt schools from the deep south without much to speak of when it comes to highly competitive developmental gyms within their states could be so dominant. However, there's good reason why both head coaching jobs are among the most attractive in all of college athletics and so firmly set up for potential dominance.
Along with perennial No. 1 Oklahoma, the two schools are the closest Division I programs to the fertile recruiting grounds throughout Texas. Strange as it may seem considering the Lone Star state has produced so many Olympians, especially over the last few decades, there isn't a single Division 1 gymnastics program in the entire state.
(Best Darn Gymnastics)
That makes Arkansas a relative stone's throw away from world-renowned gyms like Texas Dreams, Kurt Thomas, and WOGA (World Olympic Gymnastics Academy) just north of Dallas, along with numerous other gyms in the area that have sprung up as the area has evolved into a developmental hotbed.
Arkansas gymnastics coach Jordyn Wieber had zero off-campus recruiting experience when she took over the program at 23 after six years with UCLA. Her first team featured six gymnasts from Texas and one of the first recruits she ever signed was Emma Kelley from Richmond, Texas. That proximity formed the foundation of the program as Wieber worked to develop a national reputation with the Razorbacks.
As for LSU, proximity to the World Champions Center in Spring, Texas, just outside of Houston, has been valuable. Those familiar with gymnastics recognize it as the home training facility for Simone Biles. Much like in North Texas, the gym's success in producing elite gymnasts has increased popularity and interest in the sport, thus leading to other high quality gyms in the area.
An unguarded Texas serves as a firm recruiting base for both programs, but has also allowed them to grow as programs to the point where they can recruit anywhere in the country. Much like Ohio State and Alabama in football, Wieber and LSU coach Jay Clark can walk into any gym in the United States wearing their school colors and immediately have the attention of potential recruits.
The Razorbacks' roster currently stretches 4,841 miles wide across the earth's surface with athletes from Hawaii all the way to South Florida. The Tigers keep things slightly more regional, covering 2,795 miles with most of the roster coming from Texas or generally accepted southern states.
The two schools go head-to-head quite often. LSU comes into North Texas and slips away with athletes from Texas Dreams quite regularly and Arkansas went into the World Champions Center and stole Leah Smith, one of the SEC's most dominant gymnasts this year, right out from under LSU's nose.
And it's that competitiveness on the recruiting trail that sets up nights like tonight. Two elite programs going back and forth looking to gain a permanent foothold among the Top 5 in the nation by raising their season scoring average ever so slightly.
The meet takes place at 7:30 p.m. and will stream on SEC Network+.
HOG FEED:
RAZORBACKS LOSE ONE OF TOP SIGNEES DAYS BEFORE SIGNING PERIOD OVER
WHERE IS THE MOMENTUM FOR PITTMAN GOING TO COME FROM AFTER LOSING TOP RECRUIT?
TURNS OUT ARKANSAS FANS HAVEN'T HEARD LAST OF DEVO DAVIS
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