Michigan State University Athletics
Mitchell, Douglas Named Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch
12/13/2018 11:43:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Sophomore Lea Mitchell and junior Gabriella Douglas have been named Michigan State's Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch for the 2018-19 season as announced by the conference Thursday.
The Spartans were picked to finish ninth as a team in the preseason coaches' poll, also announced by the conference office Thursday.
A native of Boynton Beach, Fla., Mitchell is coming off a strong freshman season after being named a Big Ten Gymnast to Watch before the year. She won the all-around four times in her rookie campaign, including competitions against Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and in a quad against Eastern Michigan, Pitt and Rutgers. Mitchell also placed second in the all-around against UIC and Oregon State. She was named a WCGA Scholar All-American in 2018.
"Lea is one of this year's co-captains and is coming off of an extremely successful freshman year," MSU gymnastics head coach Mike Rowe said. "She worked diligently all summer to upgrade every event. She has a no-nonsense work ethic and with her newly found voice, has made an immediate impact on helping her teammates understand accountability. Lea's dance background is also exhibited in her performance and she is a competitor from the word go. Ella and Lea will set the pace and continue to raise the standard for this year's Spartans' with everyone on board."
Douglas, a native of Toronto, Ontario, was also named a Big Ten Gymnast to Watch a year ago, but missed the entire 2018 season with a knee injury. She was selected to the Academic All-Big Ten team and became a WCGA Scholar All-American. In 2017, Douglas set a personal record and placed first on beam vs. Arkansas with a 9.900. She also tied a personal record on the floor exercise with a 9.850 against Bowling Green.
"Ella has had an amazing preseason, dedicating the majority of her time rehabbing and progressing back after last season's injury," Rowe said. "She is now stronger than ever, returning with a vengeance and a vision with a path to the all-around. Her beautiful artistry and lines make her exciting to watch, and as one of this year's co-captains she has helped everyone raise their own bar by her example."
The Spartans open the season when NC State visits Jenison Field House on Saturday, January 5 at 2 p.m. ET.
The Spartans were picked to finish ninth as a team in the preseason coaches' poll, also announced by the conference office Thursday.
A native of Boynton Beach, Fla., Mitchell is coming off a strong freshman season after being named a Big Ten Gymnast to Watch before the year. She won the all-around four times in her rookie campaign, including competitions against Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois and in a quad against Eastern Michigan, Pitt and Rutgers. Mitchell also placed second in the all-around against UIC and Oregon State. She was named a WCGA Scholar All-American in 2018.
"Lea is one of this year's co-captains and is coming off of an extremely successful freshman year," MSU gymnastics head coach Mike Rowe said. "She worked diligently all summer to upgrade every event. She has a no-nonsense work ethic and with her newly found voice, has made an immediate impact on helping her teammates understand accountability. Lea's dance background is also exhibited in her performance and she is a competitor from the word go. Ella and Lea will set the pace and continue to raise the standard for this year's Spartans' with everyone on board."
Douglas, a native of Toronto, Ontario, was also named a Big Ten Gymnast to Watch a year ago, but missed the entire 2018 season with a knee injury. She was selected to the Academic All-Big Ten team and became a WCGA Scholar All-American. In 2017, Douglas set a personal record and placed first on beam vs. Arkansas with a 9.900. She also tied a personal record on the floor exercise with a 9.850 against Bowling Green.
"Ella has had an amazing preseason, dedicating the majority of her time rehabbing and progressing back after last season's injury," Rowe said. "She is now stronger than ever, returning with a vengeance and a vision with a path to the all-around. Her beautiful artistry and lines make her exciting to watch, and as one of this year's co-captains she has helped everyone raise their own bar by her example."
The Spartans open the season when NC State visits Jenison Field House on Saturday, January 5 at 2 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Gymnastics
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