Men's Gymnastics Stumble against Ohio State
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Feb. 27, 1998
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State men's gymnastics team, ranked No. 6 nationally (as of Feb. 23), fell to seventh-place Ohio State in a close 229.875-228.700 decision Friday night at Jenison Fieldhouse. The Spartans lead the competition in the same three events for which they scored season highs-pommel horse (38.150), still rings (38.150), and parallel bars (38.900).
"I was a little disappointed. I thought we'd look better than we did," said head coach Rick Atkinson. "If we want to be in the top three of the Big Ten, we're going to have to look a lot cleaner."
Senior captain Ethan Sterk finished first on the high bar (9.750) and pommel horse (9.750), to set season highs for himself on both. Senior Keith Douglas tied with teammate Tommy Housley for top honors on floor (9.750), while taking first place on vault with a 9.700. Enjoying first-place honors on rings, sophomore Troy Takagishi clinched a career best and season team high for himself with a 9.700. Freshman Chris Weedon set personal highs in still rings (9.600) and high bar (9.400).
MSU travels to Brigham Young on Friday, March 6 for a 7 p.m. matchup against the ninth-ranked Cougars.