Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans, Buckeyes Clash In Dual Meet
1/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 21, 2006
East Lansing, Mich. - The Michigan State gymnastics team hits the road for the first time this season with a Saturday night meet at Big Ten rival Ohio State. The Spartans improved to 2-1 with a tri-meet victory last weekend at Jenison Field House, while the Buckeyes (3-0) have yet to lose in 2006. Michigan State holds a slight 26-25 edge in the all-time series between the two schools, including the last-five meetings. Last season, in East Lansing, the Green and White posted a 194.775 to knock off OSU and improve to 6-1-0.
LAST WEEKEND'S RESULTS
Michigan State collected its first team title of the 2006 season, scoring a 193.550 to capture a tri-meet vs. the University of Pittsburgh and Western Michigan. Spartan gymnasts claimed top honors in three-of-four events and netted three second place finishes. Junior Kristen Coleman became the first MSU gymnast to win an All-Around competition this season, posting a 38.500.
FOUR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT
Junior captain Chayla Hill collected a pair of first-place finishes in a tri-meet win over Pittsburgh and Western Michigan. Hill placed first on Vault and Floor Exercise for the second straight meet, lifting her individual championship total to four in 2006. The Hudson, Ohio, native added a second-place performance on the Balance Beam, for good measure.
OH CANADA
Cornwall, Ont., native Kristen Coleman returned from a second-degree ankle sprain to win the All-Around competition in Saturday's tri-meet. Coleman captured her second-consecutive Bars championship with a 9.850 and added a 9.775 to finish second on the Floor Exercise and a 9.800 on Vault, to post the fourth-highest All-Around total of her career.
MARKED IMPROVEMENT
Just eight days after a dissapointing season-opening 189.225, the Spartans improved on three-of-four events to post a 193.550 score in capturing a tri-meet victory vs. Pittsburgh and Western Michigan.
ROAD WARRIORS
Saturday evening's match-up with Ohio State marks the beginning of a four-meet road string for Michigan State; the first-of-two such stretches in 2006. The Spartans will host just two more home meets, vs. New Hampshire (Feb. 18) and Alaska Anchorage (Feb. 24), before holding the Big Ten Championship, on Feb. 25, at Jenison Field House.
FANNING THE FLAMES
Freshman Dani Fanning is an unusual addition to the Spartan gymnastics program. Fanning graduated from high school in December of 2005 and enrolled at Michigan State in January and has immediately contributed to the team. The Glendale, Ariz., native garnered a 9.625 on Uneven Bars and a 9.750 on the Floor Exercise to help the Green and White earn its first two victories of the season on Jan. 14.
WAITING GAME
Spartan fans will have to wait until the Feb. 25 Big Ten Championship meet to see how the Green and White stack up against the majority of the conference competition. MSU will compete against Ohio State, Illinois and Michigan in the regular season, but will not face Iowa, Minnesota or Penn State until the conference championship.
COACH K
Head coach Kathie Klages returns for her 16th season at the helm of Michigan State gymnastics. Klages has compiled an all-time record of 252-124-3 and a .667 winning percentage, during her time in East Lansing, and is the winningest coach in program history. Klages has led the Spartans to eight NCAA Regional appearances, two 20-win seasons and an NIT championship, while coaching 19 All-Big Ten selections, 10 NCAA Qualifiers and one All-American selection.
SMALL, BUT POWERFUL
Michigan State enters the 2006 gymnastics season with just 11 student-athletes on the roster. Last season the Spartans sported 19 gymnasts en route to a 17-11 season. Only five of those 19 return, while six newcomers, two sophomores and four freshman, round out the roster.
