MSU Gymnastics Opens Season Friday
1/9/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 9, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's gymnastics team will open the 2001 season Friday, when the Spartans entertain No. 20 Iowa State, No. 21 West Virginia and Western Michigan at 8 p.m. in Jenison Field House.
It will also be the first competition of the season for West Virginia and Iowa State, while Western Michigan started its season last Sunday, defeating Northern Illinois, 189.675-188.225 .
With nine returning letterwinners and six talented freshmen, MSU looks to improve on last season's 13-7-1 record that included a sixth-place Big Ten finish. Among the Spartans leading the charge are senior co-captain Jane McIntosh and junior Christy Linder, who both competed at the 2001 NCAA Regional Championships.
Home Sweet Home: The Spartans open their 2002 schedule with a pair of home meets, beginning on Jan. 11 at 8 p.m., when No. 20 Iowa State, No. 21 West Virginia and Western Michigan invade Jenison Field House. On Jan. 19, MSU hosts No. 16 Iowa, at 7 p.m. in Jenison Field House.
In Order to Be the Best...: You've got to beat the best. Michigan State will compete against six teams during the regular season that are ranked in the top 25, including Michigan (No. 3), Oregon State (No. 10), Iowa (No. 16), Ohio State (No. 18), Iowa State (No. 20) and West Virginia (No. 21). In addition, Penn State (No. 12) and Minnesota (No. 15) will be teams that MSU will face during the Big Ten championships.
Spartans Shine at Green & White Scrimmage: MSU opened the 2002 season by hosting the Green & White scrimmage Sunday at Jenison Field House. The Green edged the White, 114.850 - 114.450, in the competition in which only the top three scores from each team were added into the team score. Junior Julie Devaty posted the day's top scores, recording a 9.900 to win the balance beam and a 9.850 to claim the floor exercise title. Junior Christy Linder had the top vault score, posting a 9.800, while freshman Jennifer Yarbrough had the team's best score on the uneven bars with a 9.600. Other top performances included 9.700 scores by freshman Anna Hunsinger on vault, by Linder on the beam and by junior Lindsay Trainham and freshman Lauren Simpson on the floor exercise.