Michigan State University
Big Ten Championships
Gymnastics Finishes Sixth At Big Ten Championships
3/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 21, 2009
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Michigan State gymnastics team finished sixth with a score of 195.650 at the 2009 Big Ten Championships, held this afternoon inside Huff Hall on the campus of the University of Illinois.
Sophomore Kelsey Morley continued her success at the Big Ten Championships, tying for second on beam for the second-straight year with a 9.875. Junior Rochelle Robinson, a first team All-Big Ten honoree, tied for sixth on uneven bars with a 9.850.
"The competition was amazing, and the caliber of the athletes was just incredible," said head coach Kathie Klages. "It appeared that most of the teams hit all of their routines, and we were included, as we didn't have to count a fall in our team total for the second time this season. I'm proud of our athletes and all that they've accomplished. It was our second highest score of the season and I'm really excited at how the team performed."
Michigan won the Big Ten team title with a score of 197.075, Illinois took second with a 196.750 and Penn State placed third with a 196.525. Minnesota finished fourth after posting a 196.000, Ohio State notched a 195.900 and Iowa rounded out the competition with a 195.450.
The Spartans began the competition on floor tallying a 49.150. Five of the six MSU gymnasts recorded a 9.800 or better, with sophomore Kathryn Mahoney and senior Katlyn Roggensack both posting a 9.875 to tie for 11th overall. Roggensack's scored tied her career-high on the event. Freshman Jackie Berg, junior Emily Lopatofsky and classmate Nicole Curler all notched a 9.800 on floor. Three gymnasts tied for the Big Ten title with a 9.950.
After a bye, MSU continued on vault, posting a 48.950. Robinson posted a team-best 9.825, while Lopatofsky and Roggensack both recorded 9.800. Kelsey Joannides of Illinois claimed the vault title with a 9.925.
The Spartans moved straight to bars, notching a 48.725, with Robinson leading the way after tallying a 9.850 to finish in a tie for sixth. Junior Nicole Curler recorded a 9.775 and freshman Jackie Berg made her Big Ten Championships debut with a 9.750. Trish Wilson of Michigan tallied a 9.950 to claim the uneven bars title.
After another bye, MSU finished the competition on balance beam, posting a 48.825. Morley led the Spartans, posting a 9.875 to tie for second overall behind Camelina Carabajal of Minnesota. Roggensack recorded a season-high 9.825 and Curler tallied a 9.800 to finish tied for 10th and 12th, respectively.
Roggensack led MSU in the all-around setting a career-high with a 39.150 to finish 11th overall. Curler placed 12th with a 39.125 and Lopatofsky recorded a 38.350. Carabajal of Minnesota claimed the all-around title after posting a 39.500.
Michigan State returns to competition in two weeks for the NCAA Regional Championships, scheduled for April 4. The location and start date are to be announced.
Players Mentioned
