Michigan State University Athletics
Lea Mitchell and Nyah Smith Named Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch
12/12/2019 11:16:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Junior Lea Mitchell and freshman Nyah Smith have been named Michigan State's Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch for the 2019-20 season as announced by the conference on Thursday.
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"Junior Lea Mitchell has once again, raised her own bar, knowing that will contribute towards taking our program to the next level," MSU head coach Mike Rowe said. "A three-time B1G Gymnast to Watch and two-time all-around NCAA Regional Qualifier, achieving second team All-Big Ten in 2019, Lea is working upgrades that will still see the competition floor at some point this season. "
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A native of Boynton Beach, Florida, Mitchell was a steady performer last season in the all-around competition as a sophomore, as she collected seven all-around scores of 39.0 or better. Mitchell also earned four all-around victories in 2019, on her way to earning All-Big Ten Second Team and Big Ten All-Championships Team honors.
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The junior is a two-time WCGA Scholar All-American and three-time Big Ten Gymnast to Watch.
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This will also be Mitchell's second-straight season serving as a Spartan gymnastics captain.
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"Freshman Nyah Smith has had an amazing pre-season and has really taken her role and position on this team seriously," Rowe said. "She will definitely be an impact player as an all-arounder, continuing to get stronger and more dynamic with each practice. She's powerful, explosive, has beautiful lines and artistry and Spartan fans will definitely agree she's one to keep their eyes on."
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Nyah Smith enters her first season of competition for the Spartans, hailing from West Bloomfield, Michigan. Smith is one of seven freshmen selected as a Big Ten Gymnast to Watch.
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Smith trained at Oakland Gymnastics, where she was a two-time J.O. National Qualifier in 2017 and 2019, placing ninth all-around at the 2019 J.O. National Championships, with a ninth-place finish on beam and 12th on vault. She also placed sixth all-around at the 2019 Michigan State Championships.
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"It's a pleasure having both Nyah and Lea as strong leaders by example and I'm thrilled for this recognition for both of them," Rowe said.
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Michigan State was selected to finish ninth in the Big Ten preseason poll, as voted on by Big Ten coaches.
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The Spartans will host their annual Green and White Meet on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. MSU will open the 2020 season on the road at Western Michigan on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 1 p.m.
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"Junior Lea Mitchell has once again, raised her own bar, knowing that will contribute towards taking our program to the next level," MSU head coach Mike Rowe said. "A three-time B1G Gymnast to Watch and two-time all-around NCAA Regional Qualifier, achieving second team All-Big Ten in 2019, Lea is working upgrades that will still see the competition floor at some point this season. "
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A native of Boynton Beach, Florida, Mitchell was a steady performer last season in the all-around competition as a sophomore, as she collected seven all-around scores of 39.0 or better. Mitchell also earned four all-around victories in 2019, on her way to earning All-Big Ten Second Team and Big Ten All-Championships Team honors.
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The junior is a two-time WCGA Scholar All-American and three-time Big Ten Gymnast to Watch.
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This will also be Mitchell's second-straight season serving as a Spartan gymnastics captain.
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"Freshman Nyah Smith has had an amazing pre-season and has really taken her role and position on this team seriously," Rowe said. "She will definitely be an impact player as an all-arounder, continuing to get stronger and more dynamic with each practice. She's powerful, explosive, has beautiful lines and artistry and Spartan fans will definitely agree she's one to keep their eyes on."
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Nyah Smith enters her first season of competition for the Spartans, hailing from West Bloomfield, Michigan. Smith is one of seven freshmen selected as a Big Ten Gymnast to Watch.
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Smith trained at Oakland Gymnastics, where she was a two-time J.O. National Qualifier in 2017 and 2019, placing ninth all-around at the 2019 J.O. National Championships, with a ninth-place finish on beam and 12th on vault. She also placed sixth all-around at the 2019 Michigan State Championships.
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"It's a pleasure having both Nyah and Lea as strong leaders by example and I'm thrilled for this recognition for both of them," Rowe said.
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Michigan State was selected to finish ninth in the Big Ten preseason poll, as voted on by Big Ten coaches.
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The Spartans will host their annual Green and White Meet on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. MSU will open the 2020 season on the road at Western Michigan on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 1 p.m.
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