Kailin Chio of LSU’s gymnastics team set a new conference record with her ninth Freshman of the Week award.
All-around gymnast Kailin Chio of LSU has been among the nation’s top performers all year, not just as a freshman. Her seventh SEC Freshman of the Week title broke the record set by no other gymnast on Tuesday.
Chio’s 39.650 total against Auburn on Friday earned him his sixth straight SEC Freshman of the Week honor. In the regular season finale against Auburn, Chio guided the Tigers to a victory with scores of 9.900 on bars, 9.925 on floor and beam, and her first perfect 10 on vault.
Among gymnasts who got a perfect score this season, Kailin Chio made history as the first rookie to do so and the third to do it on vault. With an NQS average of 39.670, she is now ranked fifth in the country for all-around.
The previous record-holder for most freshmen of the week awards was Kayla DiCello of Florida (2023), but Chio smashed it. Following them, no other rookie has caught more than six passes in a single season.
Here’s a table for the SEC freshmen who have received 5+ SEC Freshman of the Week awards:
| Rank | Gymnast | School | Year | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kailin Chio | LSU | 2025 | 9 |
| 2 | Kayla DiCello | Florida | 2023 | 8 |
| 3 | Trinity Thomas | Florida | 2019 | 6 |
| 4 | Anya Pilgrim | Florida | 2024 | 5 |
| 5 | Lily Smith | Georgia | 2024 | 5 |
| 6 | Haleigh Bryant | LSU | 2021 | 5 |
| 7 | Ashley Priess | Alabama | 2009 | 5 |
Next up for Chio and the Tigers is Saturday night’s SEC Championship match in Birmingham, Alabama. Last year, LSU won the SEC Championship, and this year they want to make it two in a row.
Even though Livvy Dunne’s super senior season is ending in disappointment due to injury, the social media superstar is still making an impact as LSU Gymnastics’ biggest cheerleader.
During LSU’s final road match before the SEC Championships against Auburn, freshman sensation Kailin Chio delivered a perfect 10 on vault—the first of her career and only the second in the nation this season.
At just 18, Kailin Chio has found a mentor in 22-year-old Dunne, who has taken her under her wing. The two have become close, even rooming together for this match. In a now-viral moment, Dunne was front and center celebrating as Chio stuck the landing before the freshman was swarmed by an LSU assistant coach and teammates.
Dunne, who recently went extra blonde, was hard to miss in the excitement. No. 2 LSU edged out No. 24 Auburn 198.200-197.550, continuing their pursuit of a national championship—with Chio playing a key role, while Dunne remains the Tigers’ most famous cheerleader. 🎉🐯