LSU Gymnastics' Kailin Chio was named SEC Freshman of the Year. She also earned places on the 2025 All-SEC team alongside three of her teammates and the All-Freshman team.
Chio is the fourth gymnast in program history to win the award. She follows Haleigh Bryant (2021), Kiya Johnson (2020), and April Burkholder (2003). Bryant, Aleah Finnegan and Konnor McClain join Chio on the All-SEC team.
In her historic debut season, Chio competed in the all-around in every meet for the Tigers. She recorded season highs of 10 on vault, the first perfect score of the season by a freshman, 9.950 on bars and beam, and 9.975 on floor. Her season-high of 39.800 in the all-around is the best by a freshman in LSU history and nationally this season.
Chio ranked top-10 nationally for eight out of 12 weeks of competition, even claiming the top spot on vault for two weeks. She currently ranks in the top 20 with a 9.9 or better in every event. Her nine wins for SEC Freshman of the Week set the conference record.
In the 2025 SEC championships, Chio finished in the top 10 for three of four individual events and the all-around. She placed second on the floor with a 9.950 and fourth in the all-around with a 39.650.
No one more deserving.
— LSU Gymnastics (@LSUgym) March 26, 2025
Kailin Chio is your 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year! #GeauxTigers | @kailin_chiopic.twitter.com/HQtL4NLDeU
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU gymnast earns major award from the SEC
