Michigan State University
Central Michigan/Ball State
MSU Gymnasts Defeat Ball State, Edged By Central Michigan
3/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 1, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State gymnastics team placed second in a three-team meet Saturday night in Jenison Field House, scoring 195.750 points to defeat Ball State (192.150), while being edged by Central Michigan (195.850). Michigan State's point total was its highest this season and the fourth most in school history.
Freshman Sarah Alexander (Kernersville, N.C.) won the all-around by finishing in the top three of all four events, scoring 39.425 for the second best all-around score in Spartan history. Alexander just missed the school record of 39.450 set by Carolyn Hecht in 1996. Alexander tied for first on the floor exercise (9.900), placed third on the vault (9.85) and tied for third on the uneven bars (9.85) and balance beam (9.825).
MSU started on vault and posted its best score of the year of 48.875. Senior Christy Linder (Fremont, Ohio) sparked the Spartans by winning the event in her first appearance of the season, scoring a team season-best 9.900.
Next the Spartans moved to the uneven bars, where they scored a solid 49.000. Senior Diana Crea (Beaver Falls, Pa.) led MSU with a second-place finish by scoring 9.875. In addition to Alexander's third-place effort, the Spartans also received a 9.825 from sophomore Lauren Simpson (Fenton), which tied her for fifth place, and a 9.800 from sophomore Jennifer Yarbrough (Williamston), who placed ninth.
MSU's third rotation was the balance beam, where the Spartans posted a score of 48.600. Alexander's third-place score of 9.825 was matched by senior Julie Devaty (North Olmstead, Ohio) and by freshman Jamie Miles (Sterling Heights) in an exhibition routine.
The Spartans finished on the floor exercise, where they matched their season-best score of 49.275. Alexander was part of a four-way tie for first with her score of 9.900, and Simpson and sophomore Nicole Anderson (Kenosha, Wis.) tied for fifth with scores of 9.875.
Simpson finished in third place out of six all-around competitors, scoring 39.125, matching her career-high set just one week ago.
Michigan State will compete next Saturday, March 8, in a dual meet at Rutgers beginning at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
