Mitchell and Douglas Earn All-Big Ten Gymnastics Honors
5/14/2020 11:11:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Junior Lea Mitchell earns first team All-Big Ten accolades while senior Ella Douglas is named to the second team.
"It was an exciting, successful season for us this year and we are so proud of the fact that Lea and Ella are receiving these Big Ten accolades for demonstrating their best gymnastics in their collegiate careers here at Michigan State!" MSU head coach Mike Rowe said.
Mitchell is the first Spartan gymnast to earn first team honors since Lisa Burt and Elena Lagoski earned first team accolades in 2015.
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A native of Boynton Beach, Florida, Mitchell won seven all-around titles, in addition to five floor exercise and two uneven bars titles through 10 meets.
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In the all-around competition, Mitchell achieved a new personal-best score of 39.375 on Jan. 11 in a tri-meet with Central Michigan and Illinois State, which she then tied at the Big Five – Elevate the Stage Meet on Feb. 22.
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Mitchell also achieved career-bests on vault (9.900), beam (9.875) and floor exercise (9.900) during the season.
"Lea had a perfect season this year, going went 4-for-4 without a fall. That alone speaks for itself while additionally garnishing 13 individual titles and earning our 2020 MVP Award," Rowe said. "Lea is the first person in Spartan Gymnastics history to earn, while also establishing the "1,500 point Club," and we're thrilled to watch her grow even more in 2021!"
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Douglas, a native of Toronto, Ontario, earned at least a share of nine event titles, composed of six on beam, two on floor exercise and one vault title.
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In her final season of competition, Douglas propelled the Spartan beam team to new heights as she served primarily in the anchor position in the beam rotation. Douglas achieved a new personal best of 9.950 on balance beam and registered scores of 9.900 or higher four times.
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Douglas was the first Spartan to capture a 9.950 on beam since Kelsey Morley who did it twice in 2009.
"The 2020 season also established Ella Douglas' most successful season of her collegiate career as a Spartan!" Rowe said. "While setting career highs of 9.950 on beam and 9.925 on floor, Ella additionally captured nine event titles herself. The combined leadership of both Lea and Ella became the driving force setting the pace for the teams focus, attention to detail and eventual success this season!"Â Â
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These are the second-consecutive All-Big Ten honors for both Douglas and Mitchell, as the duo received second team All-Big Ten accolades last season in 2019.
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The Spartans have had at least one gymnast earn All-Big Ten recognition every season since 2002.
Sophomore Alaina Raybon was named Michigan State's Sportsmanship Honoree. The student-athletes chosen for the award are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These students must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.Â
Players Mentioned
