Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Arizona
No. 22 Michigan State Falls To No. 16 Arizona In Season Opener
1/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 12, 2007
Final Stats
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The 22nd-ranked Michigan State gymnastics team fell to No. 16 Arizona, 194.975-194.925, in the opening meet of the season for both teams, Friday night at Jenison Field House. Senior Kristen Coleman and freshman Nicole Curler each posted a 39.400 to tie for first place in the all-around competition for the Green and White, while Arizona's Aubrey Kelly finished third with a score of 39.000.
"I am so proud of the way our upperclassmen led our young team tonight," Spartan head coach Kathie Klages said. "Both Kristen Coleman and Katlyn Roggensack set career-highs on the uneven bars, and collectively our team posted the third-highest total in MSU history on the event with a 49.325. We did very well tonight to open the season and we will build upon these scores as the year progresses."
At least three freshmen competed on every event for the Spartans, including Curler who finished first on both the balance beam (9.925) and floor exercise (9.875) events. Coleman, senior Chayla Hill and freshman Kelly Moffitt led MSU on the vault, each posting a 9.825, while MSU took the top four spots on the uneven bars, led by Coleman's career-high performance of 9.925. Curler's beam score was a meet-best, while freshman Emily Lopatofsky (9.750) and Roggensack (9.700) also posted strong scores on the event for the Spartans.
"The freshman class had an outstanding showing in its first collegiate meet," Klages commented. "We have a very talented group, and they really showed their ability level tonight."
State competed on the vault during the first rotation, posting a team score of 48.900 to hold a slight edge over the Wildcats who tallied a 48.575 on the uneven bars during the set. The Spartans continued to dominate through the second rotation, posting a 49.325 on the uneven bars, the highest Spartan total on the event since the 2000 season, while Arizona managed a 49.075 on the vault for a 98.225-97.650 Spartan advantage. Roggensack posted a career-best 9.800 on the bars, while Curler added a 9.900, and freshman Megan Bergland and Rochelle Robinson each contributed a 9.850 for the Green and White.
During the third rotation, Michigan State tallied a team total of 48.900 on the balance beam, led by Curler and Coleman who posted scores of 9.925 and 9.800, respectively. Arizona was able to gain ground on the Spartan lead the during the third rotation, posting a 49.075 on the floor exercise, as State went into the final set of the night holding a slight 147.125-146.725 advantage.
Despite a strong showing by Curler (9.875) and Coleman (9.850) on the floor exercise, Arizona rallied for a 48.250 on the balance beam to edge MSU's 47.800 during the final rotation of the night to claim the meet title. Roggensack contributed a 9.575 on the floor, while Bergland and Lopatofsky each added a 9.250 on the event.
Michigan State continues the 2007 campaign when it travels to Pittsburgh, Pa. on Jan. 19 for a quad-meet with Pittsburgh, Maryland and West Virginia at Fitzgerald Field House.
Players Mentioned
