Former LSU All-American gymnast Ashley Clare-Kearney Thigpen joins Eddie Kennison for the latest edition of the Geaux2Legends Podcast.
Ashley Clare-Kearny Thigpen is a two-time national champion and former five-time First Team All-American gymnast for the LSU Tigers.
Clare-Kearney received her bachelor’s degree from LSU in 2008, earned her master’s at LSU in 2010 and earned her law degree from Southern University in 2013.
In 2013, Clare-Kearney’s efforts were widely recognized as LSU volunteer assistant coach. The Tigers were credited with having one of the most exciting floor lineups in the country with dazzling choreography and fantastic performances. The Tigers finished the season ranked No. 5 nationally in the event.
Clare-Kearney captured the 2009 NCAA Vault and Floor national titles as well as the 2009 Southeastern Conference Floor title during her senior season. As a junior in 2008, Clare-Kearney became the second LSU gymnast to be crowned the SEC All-Around Champion, and she also took home 2008 SEC Gymnast of the Year honors after winning the all-around and floor titles.
Clare-Kearney holds the school record for the most individual titles – winning 114 titles in her career, including 37 on vault, 27 on floor and 22 in the all-around.
Clare-Kearney demonstrated excellence and leadership in academics as well as competition as she was recognized as a Scholastic All-American in both 2008 and 2009, and the Manchester, Connecticut native was also a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member.
An active member in the local community, Clare-Kearney was twice recognized as a member of the SEC Community Service Team, and she also received the 2008 Huel D. Perkins Leadership Award at LSU.
Because of her prowess in the gym, in the classroom and in the community Clare-Kearney became the first LSU student-athlete to earn the distinction as an NCAA Woman of the Year Finalist in 2009.
The daughter of Craig Kearney and Diane Clare-Kearney, Ashleigh married DaJuan Thigpen on July 30, 2016 in downtown Baton Rouge.