Michigan State University Athletics
No. 6 Gymnastics Heads To Arizona For Weekend Meet
1/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 12, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Following a record-breaking successful opening-weekend performance, No. 6 Michigan State gymnastics heads to Arizona, where it will also face No. 23 Missouri and Illinois-Chicago.
RECAPPING LAST WEEK...
Michigan State wowed its fans with an incredibly strong season-opening performance at Jenison Field House on Friday, Jan. 7. The Spartans established a team total of 195.475 as they breezed past Denver (193.875), No. 8 Louisiana State (193.675) and Ball State (190.025) to claim the Spartan Invitational crown. State's 195.475 marks its highest-ever score for a season opener.
HEAD COACH Kathie Klages...
Klages, named 2004 Big Ten co-coach of the year, has become a fixture in Spartan athletics over the course of her 14-year tenure at Michigan State. Entering her 15th season in 2005, Klages celebrates one of the most successful seasons in the history of her program and looks to extend last season's victories into another season of high scores and near-perfect performances.
A YOUNG COACHING STAFF...
Under the leadership of veteran head coach Kathie Klages and with support from second-year assistant coach Sam Buchalter, Michigan State gymnastics features a host of fresh faces on its 2005 coaching staff.
Katie Teft joined the Spartans as an assistant coach in August, 2004 and has brought a wealth of domestic and international experience to the team in helping MSU prepare for a spectacular 2005 season. Teft graduated from Massachusetts in 2003.
Also joining the program is volunteer assistant coach Duane Haring, a nine-year coach at the club level and three-year head coach at Grand Ledge High School in Grand Ledge, Mich.
SPARTAN LEADERSHIP...
Senior Anna Hunsinger and Junior Sarah Alexander return as team captains in 2005, joined by senior Nicole (Anderson) June. All three are seasoned Spartan gymnasts and proven leaders, sure to contribute to team success in 2005.
SETTING THEIR SIGHTS HIGH...
There is one feat in particular that MSU has yet to accomplish in head coach Kathie Klages' tenure; a trip to the NCAA National Championship. MSU came close last year and posted a fifth-place finish at NCAA Regionals against a tough slate of competition. The Spartans hope that this year's squad will make Green and White history by earning a bid to the Big Show in 2005.
SOLID RETURNEES AND FRESH FACES...
The 2005 Michigan State squad is characterized by depth in 2005. The one senior on State's 2004 team, Lindsey Voth, did not compete due to injury, so MSU returns all of its active competitors from last year. In addition, five Spartan freshmen join the team in 2005.
A QUICK LOOK AT MICHIGAN STATE'S SPARTANS...
Season-High Team Score: 195.475 National Ranking: No. 6 2004 Record: 18-10-1 2004 Big Ten Finish: Fifth Letterwinners returning/lost: 13/0 Newcomers: 5 Head Coach Kathie Klages is 233-112-3 in 14 years at Michigan State.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION...
ARIZONA WILDCATS National Ranking: No. 13 Season-High Team Score: 193.425 2004 Regional finish: 7th Letterwinners returning/lost: 8/4 Newcomers: Four Head Coach Bill Ryden enters his seventh season at Arizona.
ILLINOIS-CHICAGO FLAMES...
National Ranking: Not ranked Letterwinners returning/lost: 11/3 Newcomers: 2 Head Coach Peter Jansson enters his 14th year at UIC, while his wife, Mary, enters her 10th year as his co-head coach.
MISSOURI TIGERS...
National Ranking: No. 23 Season-High Team Score: 193.050 2004 Record: 15-3 2004 Big 12 record: 1-2 2004 Big 12 Championship finish: 3rd, 196.425 Letterwinners returning/lost: 12/4 Newcomers: 4 Head Coach Rob Drass enters his sixth year at Missouri.
NATIONAL RANKINGS...
Michigan State's performance at the Spartan Invitational propelled State to a No. 6 national ranking, after entering competition at No. 27. Comprised of veteran gymnasts and energetic freshmen, the Spartan squad promises continued success throughout 2005.
COACH'S CORNER...
"I am absolutely thrilled about my team's performance at the Spartan Invitational," head coach Kathie Klages said. "We really came out and worked and have a record-breaking performance to show for it. Of course, there is always room for improvement, but I am really happy with how things went."
