Michigan State University
Alaska-Anchorage
Coleman Shines As Spartans Down Seawolves
2/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 24, 2006
Final Stats
East Lansing, Mich. - Junior Kristen Coleman captured three event titles and took home all-around honors as the Michigan State women's gymnastics team defeated Alaska Anchorage 193.325-190.450, Friday evening at Jenison Field House. Classmate Chayla Hill completed a Spartan sweep of the four individual event titles, by winning the floor exercise with a score of 9.800.
Michigan State started the evening on vault with a score of 48.550. The Spartans were paced by junior Kristen Coleman who captured the event title with a 9.800. Chayla Hill added a 9.775 to finish second overall. Michigan State led Alaska Anchorage by 2.650 points after one rotation, after the Seawolves were forced to count a pair of falls on the uneven bars, opening the meet with a 46.900.
In the second rotation the Spartans increased their lead to 2.275 after scoring a 48.500 on the uneven bars. Rhiannon Banda-Scott started the rotation for Michigan State, tying a season and career-best 9.650, followed by Dani Fanning who scored a career-best 9.700 to finish third on the event. Coleman captured first-place with a 9.750, while junior Victoria Iakounina completed the Green and White sweep finishing second with a 9.725. Alaska Anchorage finished the rotation with a 46.900.
The Spartans carried their momentum onto the beam with a 48.200 in the third rotation, outscoring the Seawolves who scored 47.750 on floor. Coleman and Hill each earned a 9.750 to lead Michigan State and tie for first-place in the event. The pair was followed closely by Iakounina who scored a 9.725 to capture third.
The Green and White concluded the evening on floor exercise, scoring a 48.075 to secure the victory. Hill captured the event title with a 9.800, while Coleman finished second, scoring a 9.750.
Coleman took home all-around honors for the third time in 2006, posting a 39.050 to lead the pack. Iakounina finished second overall with a 38.725, while UAA's Jessica Portlock rounded out the top-three with a score of 38.500.
After the meet, the Spartans honored senior captain Sarah Alexander. Alexander, who was an All-Big Ten selection her freshman season is a three-time captain of the Michigan State gymnastics team. Alexander, who has battled injuries all season, posted a 9.350 on vault and a 9.125 on the balance beam in her final meet.
The match marked the final regular season home meet of the season for the Spartans. MSU will travel to North Carolina State for a dual meet on March 3 before heading to Northern Illinois just two days later. The Green and White will return to Jenison Field House on March 25, when they play host to the Big Ten Championships at 6 p.m.
Players Mentioned
