Julie Devaty Named Co-Big Ten Gymnast of the Week
2/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 5, 2003
PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Michigan State senior co-captain Julie Devaty (North Olmstead, Ohio) was named the co-Big Ten Gymnast of the Week, the conference office announced today. Devaty, who is sharing the weekly award with Michigan's Calli Ryals, earned the honor after leading the Spartans to a first-place finish at the State of Michigan Classic on Feb. 2.
Devaty matched her career-best mark of 9.925 on the balance beam to capture the event title, outscoring 30 other competitors. Her score ranks as the second-highest total on that event in program history, which she first set last season. She posted a season-high score of 9.875 on the floor exercise to finish in a tie for second place with teammate Nicole Anderson (Kenosha, Wis.). Devaty also matched her personal high of 9.825 on the uneven bars to finish with the event's fourth highest score of the day.
Devaty became the first Spartan to earn the conference honor since Jane McIntosh won in 2001. Backed by Devaty's high marks, the Spartans posted the second-highest score of the season to win the State of Michigan Classic on Feb. 2. Michigan State finished ahead of runner-up Central Michigan and third-place Michigan. Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan rounded out the five-team meet. Michigan State also became the first Big Ten program to defeat instate rival Michigan since 1999.
The Spartans return to action on Saturday, Feb. 8, when they travel to Iowa City, Iowa, to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes. The meet is slated to begin at 7 p.m. CST at Carver Hawkeye Arena.