Michigan State University Athletics
Gymnastics Opens Season Friday Night vs. Washington
1/5/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 5, 2012
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State gymnastics team begins the 2012 season on Friday night when it hosts No. 16 Washington for a 6:30 p.m. meet in Jenison Field House.
"We are so excited to get this season underway," said head coach Kathie Klages. "The team has been training since early fall and are ready for some competition. We look forward to seeing what this talented team is capable of this year.
With the leadership of the seniors and the strength of the underclassmen we expect this team to strive to reach their goals. The goals include being seeded in the top 18 for the NCAA Regionals and striving to earn a spot in the night session at the Big Ten Championships. The goals are lofty this season but with hard work, team chemistry and focus, they can be reached."
The Spartans, who are receiving votes in the preseason GymInfo national poll, were picked eighth in the preseason Big Ten coaches poll. Michigan State looks to build off its third place finish at the NCAA Regionals last season, tying for its best placement all-time. Nine of the 11 Spartans who competed in Corvallis, return in 2012, including second-team All-Big Ten selection Jackie Berg. Five talented freshmen add to the returning core.
Sophomore Taira Neal and freshman Alina Cartwright were selected as Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch in the preseason. Neal won the vault at the Green & White scrimmage in early December, after finishing last season as the top Spartan in that event at the Big Ten and NCAA Regional Championships. Cartwright made an immediate impact in her first event at MSU, winning the all-around and the bars at the Green & White.
Washington returns 10 letterwinners from a team that finished ranked 18th in the national last season. The Huskies finish third at both the Pac-10 and NCAA Regional Championships. The Spartans traveled to Seattle last season (March 4), with the Huskies posting a season-best 196.075 to knock off MSU (193.075).
