Spartans Finish Third In Season-Opening Meet

Jan. 9, 2004

EAST LANSING, MICH. - Michigan State gymnastics recorded the third-best score in school history on the beam as MSU (1-2) finished third against No. 10 LSU (2-1) and No. 15 Arizona (3-0) in a four-way season opener in Jenison Field House in East Lansing Friday night. Arizona won the meet with a team score of 195.425, while Louisiana State finished second at 194.875. The Spartans' 193.250 took third, while Western Michigan (0-3) rounded out the competition at 192.125.

MSU garnered its beam score of 49.250 by sweeping the top three balance beam places. Jaime Miles won the event title with a 9.900 and Sarah Alexander and Lauren Simpson tied for second with 9.875s.

"We did a wonderful job on balance beam," head coach Kathie Klages said. "I'm really proud of them. It's a great way to start the season."

The Spartans started the night on vault, and posted a team score of 48.225 in the first rotation, placing them third. After one rotation, Arizona led with a team score of 48.925 on bars, Western Michigan was second at 48.40 on floor and LSU rounded it out with a 48.175 on beam. MSU freshman Victoria Iakounina led State with a 9.675 in the event, while sophomores Leia Langhoff and Sarah Alexander and freshman Kristen Coleman each posted 9.625s.

"We started off a little rough in vault warm-ups, and we had to water down things a little bit in competition," said Klages. "We came out and competed ok. We went on and hit five bar routines and were rolling."

MSU scored 48.525 on the bars in the second rotation, with Lauren Simpson earning a 9.80 for the Spartans. Iakounina and Alexander each scored 9.725s. Following the second rotation, Arizona led with a 97.950 team score, LSU moved into second with a 97.075, while State hung on to third place with a total of 96.750. WMU was fourth at 96.450.

On beam, State recorded a 49.250, the third-best team beam score in school history. Miles' 9.90 in the event ties the seventh-best individual beam score at State, and is a personal best mark. Alexander tied her career best with her 9.875, while Simpson's was a career-high for her. Following the third rotation, MSU and LSU were tied for second with 146.00s, while Arizona held onto the lead with a 146. 250. WMU followed up with a 144.575.

"When we got to beam, they just rocked," said Klages. "That was a nemesis for us last season. I was disappointed in floor, because that was the event we looked best on in practice. But it's our first meet and we're ready to go from here."

In the final rotation, MSU scored 47.150 on floor, with three Spartans falling in the event. Chayla HIll, a freshman, led State with a 9.750. Nicole Anderson recorded a 9.625.

MSU returns to action Jan. 18 at Central Michigan where it will also face Illinois State. That meet begins at 2 p.m.

TEAM RESULTS1. Arizona, 195.4252. Louisiana State, 194. 8753. MICHIGAN STATE, 193.2504.  Western Michigan, 192.125INDIVIDUAL RESULTSVault: 1. 9.950- April Burkholder, LSU; 2. 9.900- Andi McCabe, UA; 9.875- Abby Pearson, UA.MSU: 11. Nicole Anderson, 9.675; 11. Victoria Iakounina, 9.675.Bars: 1. 9.875- Jamie Duce, UA; 2. 9.850- Katherine Hilton, LSU; 3. 9.825- Monica Bisordi, UA.MSU: 4. Lauren Simpson, 9.800; 10. Sarah Alexander, 9.725; 10. Victoria Iakounina, 9.725.Beam: 1. 9.900- Jaime Miles, MSU; 2. 9.875- Sarah Alexander, MSU; 3. 9.875- Lauren Simpson, MSU.Floor: 1. 9.875- Katie Johnson, UA; 2. 9.850- Kelly Phelan, LSU; 2. 9.850- April Burkholder, LSU.MSU: 8. 9.750- Chayla HIll, MSU; 14. 9.625- Nicole Anderson, MSU; 18. 9.375- Jaime Miles, MSU.