Michigan State University
Towson, Rutgers, and Yale
Spartans Secure 196.275 in Quad Meet Victory
2/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
TOWSON, Md. - Michigan State placed first at Friday night's quad meet at Towson, posting a 196.275 - the second-best score for the Spartans this season. MSU was followed by Rutgers, Towson and Yale who posted 194.850-193.750-191.875 finishes.
"Tonight was a total team effort," said head coach Kathie Klages. "We had a bit of a chaotic warm up but the team members focused and put together a great effort to create a magical performance".
In their second quad meet of the season, the Spartans started on floor before moving to vault, bars and beam. Michigan State marked team event wins on bars, beam, and floor while earning individual event honors on bars, beam, floor and all-around.
Sophomore Elena Lagoski led the way on floor in the first rotation, tying her career-high 9.950 for the third time this season, while placing first for the seventh time. Coming into the meet, Lagoski ranked 10th nationally on the event and is averaging a 9.905 on the season. Junior Lisa Burt followed Lagoski, marking a 9.875 for a second-place finish. Sophomore Kira Frederick earned a 9.850 for third place, while junior Brittany Holmes made her season debut on floor, scoring a 9.800 and tying for seventh. As a team, the Spartans combined for a 49.225 and first-place finish on floor.
Senior Alina Cartwright made a season-debut splash into the vault lineup, scoring a 9.875 and tying for second. After rehabbing an injury throughout the beginning of the 2015 season, Cartwright is looking to work her way back into the all-around lineup. Freshman Anna Gamelo followed Cartwright, setting a career-high 9.850 and placing fourth on the event. Lagoski marked a 9.700, placing ninth while sophomore Holly Ryan set a career-high 9.625. Together the Spartans earned a 48.725 on the event.
Transitioning to bars in the third rotation, the Spartans were led by a 9.875 and first-place finish from Burt. Cartwright and sophomore Mackenzie Smith followed, each tallying a 9.850 and tying for second. Gamelo set her second career high of the night, scoring a 9.825 and tying for fifth. Frederick placed ninth and tied her career-high 9.800 for the third time this season, helping the Spartans to a season-high 49.200 on the event.
MSU set a season-high 49.075 on beam in the final rotation. Burt tied her season-high 9.900, placing first while Ryan set a career-high 9.875 and recorded a second place finish for the Spartans. Cartwright placed third, earning a season-high 9.850. Holmes and freshman teammate Hailee Westney each marked a 9.750, tying for sixth on the event.
Burt was the only Spartan to compete all-around, placing first with a 39.325. This marks Burt's fifth first-place all-around finish this season, alongside three second-place finishes in competition.
Towson assistant coach Becky Schaller was a four-year standout for MSU gymnastics under Klages. As a freshman, Schaller was an all-around performer who helped the Spartans to a 27-3 record and a second-place finish in the Big Ten Conference. Schaller completed two more successful season in the Green and White before going on to serve as a medical intern with USA Gymnastics team physician Dr. Larry Nassar in her senior year.
The Spartans will return home on Friday, March 6 to face Arizona and Eastern Michigan on Senior Night. Both Alina Cartwright and Ashley Noll will be celebrated among Spartan fans. Competition will begin at 6 p.m. in Jenison Fieldhouse.
Players Mentioned
