LaChance, Razorbacks win on senior night
Harold McIlvain II
Issue date: 3/9/09 Section: Sports
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A smile was a constant throughout her routine while performing in front of 1,976 fans at Barnhill Arena.
And when the performance ended, teammates rushed to the floor with smiles of their own to greet LaChance one last time during the final regular season home event.
"There was just an incredible energy," LaChance said. "Everyone's support and encouragement just blew me away. I've never felt that kind of support in my life. That was the most fun moment I've had in gymnastics ever."
LaChance said having her parents in attendance made the meet extra special because of the long trip to campus.
"It means a lot," LaChance said. "I try to go out there and do good for them."
And on senior night, she did.
LaChance set a season high when combining her 9.875 scores in vault and floor, two events she has contributed to at every meet. She also added a 9.675 on beam.
"It was nice for her to come through as a senior and hit her routines," Arkansas co-head coach Rene Cook said. "Alex did a great job on vault and floor. I thought she did a great job on beam even though her score wasn't that great."
Concluding the meet, a video of highlights showcased LaChance and her contributions to a program that has made two NCAA Championship appearances during her time on campus.
"It was touching," LaChance said. "I guess I've come a long way. I'm a different person than when I was a little baby freshman."
Junior Michelle Stout won her first all-around this season with a 39.325 despite not starting the meet with the opportunity to compete in all four events.
"It was nice to see Michelle win the all-around," Cook said. "She wasn't even suppose to do the all-around. But she came in and hit all four routines and was great."
Cook said sophomore Stacy Bartlett broke her toe while warming up and was sent to the hospital.
Stout - who scored the second highest score on beam last week - had a bruised toe and was expected to sit the event out with LaChance taking her spot.
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