Spartan Gymnastics Set for Green and White Meet Saturday

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State gymnastics hosts its annual Green and White meet on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. at Jenison Field House. The event is free admission to all fans.

The Green and White meet will provide Spartan fans an opportunity to get a glimpse of the 2020 squad in a meet-like setting. The team will be split into a 'Green' and 'White' team, with gymnasts competing on floor, vault, beam and bars in front of judges and fans.

Gabriella Douglas, Sydney Ewing, Ashley Hofelich, Jori Jackard, Madison McHale, Alaina Raybon and Jenna Wicker will represent the Green. Chloe Bellmore, Tristan Brown, Ryanna Head, Lea Mitchell, Nyah Smith, Alyssa Wiedeman and Linda Zivat will represent the White.

After the team marches in and team introductions, the Spartans will compete in Olympic order with both teams beginning on vault after a four-minute touch warm-up.

"We're really excited about putting our routines on the floor this weekend," MSU head coach Mike Rowe said. "The preseason has been long, but our home opener is less than a month away. We've been constantly addressing attention to details and consistency as corrections and improvements are made. Saturday will be the first experience competing in Jenison Field House for our freshmen and that feeling is one they will never forget."

Fans will also get a glimpse of the team's freshmen, Chloe Bellmore, Ryanna Head, Jori Jackard, Nyah Smith and Linda Zivat, who will be competing in the Green and White for the first time on Saturday.

"We are a young team this year with a roster of 15, and 10 of them are freshman and sophomores. They are loaded with talent and have transitioned well to the collegiate approach to training quality over quantity," Rowe said. "Our upperclassmen's leadership has helped guide them through occasional 'hiccups,' both in the gym or with their college transition."

Junior Lea Mitchell and senior Gabriella Douglas will be serving as co-captains for the second-consecutive season. Mitchell and Douglas were both named to the All-Big Ten Second Team last season and qualified for the NCAA Regionals.

Mitchell and Smith were tabbed as Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch, as announced by the conference on Thursday, Dec. 12.

The Green and White meet will be a chance for the gymnasts to compete in front of fans and judges prior to the opening of the 2020 season in early January.

"We're looking forward to adding the competitive dynamic to this year's Green and White. This opportunity is different than an in-gym intrasquad or public exhibition and it's what we need to test our resilience and grit," Rowe said. "It will be a good indicator of what fine-tuning and direction we need emphasis on, giving us a broader perspective of where we are before the Holiday break. This team is excited to get down onto the arena floor and show our fans the upgrades and improvements we've made since November."

The MSU gymnastics 'Perfect-10 Boosters' will also be on-hand selling Spartan merchandise, including newly unveiled gear.

Due to graduation ceremonies, parking will be limited on campus and fans are encouraged to arrive early.

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Players Mentioned

Chloe Bellmore

Tristan Brown

Gabriella Douglas

Sydney Ewing

Ryanna Head

Ashley Hofelich

Jori Jackard

Madison McHale

Lea Mitchell

Alaina Raybon

Nyah Smith

Jenna Wicker

Alyssa Wiedeman

Linda Zivat

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