Fil-Am Olympian Aleah Finnegan’s school wins first NCAA championship
Photo from aleahfinn/Instagram
The cheers echoed louder than ever as the Louisiana State University (LSU) women’s gymnastics team basked in the glory of their first-ever national championship win.
Among the faces celebrating this historic moment was Aleah Finnegan, a rising gymnast star of Filipino descent whose grace and skill illuminated the arena throughout the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) season.
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The Fil-Am Olympian, a junior at LSU, stood tall atop the podium, with not only the coveted team gold but also the individual national championship in floor exercises.
Addressing the crowd during the victory rally, she recounted the exhilaration preceding her championship-clinching performance.
In an Instagram post resonating with pride and humility, the Fil-Am athlete hailed the collective effort that propelled her team to victory, acknowledging the unwavering support of the “Tiger” nation that fueled their journey to the top.
“GOD DID!! WE ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!,” she shared, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers that buoyed their spirits throughout the season.
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“Tiger nation, you showed up and showed out this whole season,” she continued. “This one is for all of us. Thank you for the tremendous love, support, and prayers that we have received all year long!”
For Finnegan, this triumph marks yet another milestone in a remarkable career defined by resilience and determination.
“What a privilege and honor to represent LSU and to be surrounded by the sisterhood we share. I love each and every one of these girls. With each other, for each other,” she further wrote.
Her journey to glory transcends borders, as she previously showcased her prowess on the international stage, clinching two gold medals for the Philippines at the 2021 Southeast Asian Games. Making history is not new to her as she was also the first Filipina gymnast in six decades to secure an Olympic berth.
Her stellar performances at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships paved the way for her qualification at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp.
In the world championships, she secured 51.366 points, placing 32nd in the qualification round, solidifying her status as one of the contenders representing the Philippines for Olympic glory in Paris this year.
“It was far from easy, but we got there!! FOREVER NATTY CHAMPS BABY!!” she concluded her post.
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