Finnegan’s floor feat brightens country’s SEAG gymnastics bid

FILE PHOTO: Aleah Finnegan competes on the uneven bars during a women’s artistic gymnastics qualification round at Bercy Arena at the Paris Olympics 2024, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris, France. —ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filipino-American gymnast Aleah Finnegan showcased the prowess that could prove golden for the country late this year after claiming multiple titles for Louisiana State University during the recent US NCAA Southeast Conference artistic gymnastics tournament.

Finnegan, a Paris Olympian, captured her third consecutive floor exercise title with an impressive 9.95 score, captivating a crowd of 13,515 at Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

She also shared the all-around crown with Florida’s Selena Harris-Miranda as both gymnasts earned a combined 39.500. She also matched her season-high 9.950 in the vault, securing second place.

Finnegan’s feats serve as a promising preview of her role in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games, set for Dec. 9 to 20 in Thailand.

A key figure for Team Philippines, the Missouri-based 22-year-old previously led the Filipinas to the women’s artistic gymnastics team title at the 2021 SEA Games, earning a gold in the vault and silvers in the all-around and balance beam.

Finnegan finished 17th in her Olympic debut in Paris.