Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Gymnastics Prepares For Cardinal Classic
2/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 9, 2006
Cardinal Classic Notes
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EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State gymnastics team looks to get back on track with a win this weekend against out of conference opponents Ball State and Bowling Green. The 6-4-0 Spartans are looking to bounce back from a second place finish last weekend at the State of Michigan Classic, while the Ball State Cardinals are looking for their first win of the season. Bowling Green comes into the weekend following a close loss at home to Northern Illinois. The competition begins at Irving Gym in Muncie, Ind., Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
LAST WEEK IN REVIEW The Michigan State gymnastics squad competed at the prestigious State of Michigan Classic Friday night in Mt. Pleasant, Mich., where Michigan took its ninth consecutive victory at the meet with an overall score of 196.375. Michigan State captured second place in the event with a 193.525, followed by Central Michigan in third place scoring a 192.425, Western Michigan in fourth with a 192.300 and Eastern Michigan rounding out the field with a 191.800 for the night.
THE WEEK AHEAD... The Spartan gymnastics team heads to Muncie, Ind. where it will face host Ball State, and the Bowling Green State University Falcons. Competition against the two Mid-American opponents will begin at Irving Gym at 7 p.m.
SCOUTING BALL STATE Host Ball State comes into this weekend's contest with an 0-5 record, looking for their first win at home. The Cardinals hosted in-conference opponent Kent State last weekend, but were unable to come away with a win, finishing with a team score of 184.275. Ball State won overall on the beam with a score of 46.000 and tied the Golden Flashes on vault with a 47.500, but were unable to come through on the bars and floor exercise. Junior Kelly Watson led the team in the all-around competition with a 37.725, which was good enough for second place. Watson scored a 9.725 on the vault, making her the only Cardinal to come away with an individual titile for the night.
SCOUTING THE BOWLING GREEN FALCONS Bowling Green heads to Muncie, Ind. after suffering a close loss to Northern Illinois at home. Going into the final rotation of the evening the Falcons held a .600 advantage of NIU, but were unable to hold on, ending the night with a 190.125, while Northern Illinois earned a team score of 190.850. Senior Jessica Guyer would lead the Falcons with first place finishes on the beam (9.750) and floor exercises (9.775). The loss puts the Flacons record at 2-3-0 for the season.
A LOOK BACK The Michigan State Spartans defeated the Cardinals in their home opener last year, 195.475-190.025. The win increased the Green and White win streak against Ball State to 16, making MSU 16-0 in all-time meetings. The Spartans also bested Bowling Green last year by a 194.025-191.325 margin. They also lead the Falcons in all-time wins with a 14-1 advantage.
HOLDING STRONG NATIONALLY The Michigan State Spartans hold on to their No. 24 national ranking for the second week in a row. The Spartans currently have a team average of 192.385, making them one of four Big Ten teams to be ranked in the top 25. Following a number of individual strong performances this past weekend, the team average increased from a 191.950.
A TEAM EFFORT Solid performances from every member of the team helped lead the Spartans to a second-place finish at the State of Michigan Classic. The team placed second to the Wolverines in each event, with a team best 48.525 on the bars. In addition, the team tied its season-best 47.725 on the beam.
SEASON BESTS ALL-AROUND Junior Kristen Coleman improved her career all-around high score to a 39.225 this past weekend. Season-best scores on the beam (9.775) and floor (9.850) helped Coleman to a third place finish in the all-around. Freshman Katlyn Roggensack also earned a season-best in all-around, finishing out the evening with a 38.775. Sophomore Bethany Little also had a season-best performance at the Classic, with a 9.850 on the vault that earned her a third place finish. Several other Spartans tied season-bests: Rhiannon Banda-Scott with a 9.650 on the bars and a 9.225 on floor exercise, and Victoria Iakounina tied her best on the bars with a 9.700.
STEPPING UP The freshman trio of Briana Dicus, Dani Fanning and Katlyn Roggensack posted big numbers for the Spartans in their first State of Michigan Classic. Dicus earned season-high scores on the vault (9.800) and floor (9.650); Fanning had season-best performances on the beam (9.000) and floor (9.775); and Roggensack put up season-highs on the bars (9.750) and floor (9.800) en route to a season-best 38.775 in all-around competition.
