Michigan State University
Penn State
Gymnastics Edged by Penn State
2/23/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 23, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Michigan State gymnastics recorded its highest score of the season against Penn State on Saturday evening. The Spartans fell to the Nittany Lions, 196.700-196.000.
"This is the team I have been seeing in the gym all along," said head coach Kathie Klages. "I am thrilled we were able to take it to the competition floor tonight. I am extremely proud of the fight in this group. This team showed what they are made of tonight."
On vault, senior captain Taira Neal collected a 9.900 to take first in the competition. Sophomore Alina Cartwright earned a 9.825 mark to tie for third place. To tie for fifth was junior Gillian Carr with a score of 9.800 on the event. Penn State edged Michigan State on vault, 48.950-48.900.
Leading the Spartans on the uneven bars was freshman Lisa Burt taking third with a score of 9.900. Sophomore Ashley Stevenson and freshman Nicola Deans tied for fifth place notching a score of 9.825. Madison Merriam posted an event high score of 9.800 to help Penn State compile a 49.350 to take uneven bars.
Pacing the Spartans on beam was Burt registering a career-best of 9.925 to tie for first in the event. Neal and Cartwright tied with Samantha Musto and Sidney Sanabria-Robles for third, each earning a 9.825. The Nittany Lions recorded a 49.125 to take the event, while the Spartans tallied a 49.050.
Both sophomore Ashley Noll and junior Dani Levy tied season-highs with a 9.850 to take second place on floor exercise. Burt tied for sixth posting a 9.825. Taking first on the event was Nittany Lions' Lexi Carroll marking a 9.875. Penn State topped MSU with a 49.175-49.000 deficient.
Burt took second in the all-around competition compiling a season-high score of 39.325, while Cartwright followed at third collecting a career-best 39.075.
The Spartans return to East Lansing next weekend to face in-state rival Michigan for MSU's senior and alumni meet. The meet will occur in Jenison Field House on Saturday, March 2, at 4 p.m.
Players Mentioned
