Nyah Smith And Baleigh Garcia Garner Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch Accolades
1/13/2021 4:15:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
Second-straight season for Smith, first for freshman Garcia.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Sophomore Nyah Smith and freshman Baleigh Garcia have been tabbed as Michigan State's Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch for the 2020-21 season as announced by the conference on Wednesday.
"Nyah Smith comes off an amazing 2020 season as a consistent all-arounder, who continued to grow and excel, not only on each event, but also throughout the season," MSU head coach Mike Rowe said.
Smith, a native of West Bloomfield, Michigan, garnered Big Ten Gymnast to Watch honors for the second-straight season. Last season she posted season-highs of 39.225 in the all-around, 9.875 on vault, 9.850 on both beam and floor and 9.775 on bars. Smith posted two event titles, tying for first on vault with a 9.825 in the season-opener at Western Michigan on Jan. 5, and sharing top-honors on vault with a 9.850 vs. No. 23 Illinois on Feb. 16.
"Baleigh Garcia joined us on day one of official practice with not only her amazing talent, but strength, attention to detail and something to prove," Rowe said. "Along with Nyah, she's a fierce competitor, both of whom will complement the 2021 Spartans with the dynamics, artistry, proficiency and consistency towards achieving our success!"
Garcia enters her first season of competition for the Green & White, coming to MSU from Boca Raton, Florida, where she graduated from West Boca Raton Community High School and trained at American Twistars Gymnastics Club. Garcia is one of four freshmen on the B1G Gymnasts to Watch List.
With American Twistars Gymnastics Club, Garcia won the all-around with first-place finishes on vault, bars and floor and third on beam at 2020 Elevate the Stage. She placed sixth on vault at the 2019 J.O. National Championships.
Michigan State was selected to finish ninth in the Big Ten preseason poll, as voted on by Big Ten coaches.
MSU gymnastics' 2021 schedule was released by the Big Ten Conference office earlier this month, and the Spartans will compete in a B1G-only eight-meet schedule due to the delayed start of the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Michigan State will start the 2021 season the weekend of Jan. 22 at Maryland.
Further information about fan attendance, television/streaming and postseason information will be announced at a later date on MSUSpartans.com.
"Nyah Smith comes off an amazing 2020 season as a consistent all-arounder, who continued to grow and excel, not only on each event, but also throughout the season," MSU head coach Mike Rowe said.
Smith, a native of West Bloomfield, Michigan, garnered Big Ten Gymnast to Watch honors for the second-straight season. Last season she posted season-highs of 39.225 in the all-around, 9.875 on vault, 9.850 on both beam and floor and 9.775 on bars. Smith posted two event titles, tying for first on vault with a 9.825 in the season-opener at Western Michigan on Jan. 5, and sharing top-honors on vault with a 9.850 vs. No. 23 Illinois on Feb. 16.
"Baleigh Garcia joined us on day one of official practice with not only her amazing talent, but strength, attention to detail and something to prove," Rowe said. "Along with Nyah, she's a fierce competitor, both of whom will complement the 2021 Spartans with the dynamics, artistry, proficiency and consistency towards achieving our success!"
Garcia enters her first season of competition for the Green & White, coming to MSU from Boca Raton, Florida, where she graduated from West Boca Raton Community High School and trained at American Twistars Gymnastics Club. Garcia is one of four freshmen on the B1G Gymnasts to Watch List.
With American Twistars Gymnastics Club, Garcia won the all-around with first-place finishes on vault, bars and floor and third on beam at 2020 Elevate the Stage. She placed sixth on vault at the 2019 J.O. National Championships.
Michigan State was selected to finish ninth in the Big Ten preseason poll, as voted on by Big Ten coaches.
MSU gymnastics' 2021 schedule was released by the Big Ten Conference office earlier this month, and the Spartans will compete in a B1G-only eight-meet schedule due to the delayed start of the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Michigan State will start the 2021 season the weekend of Jan. 22 at Maryland.
Further information about fan attendance, television/streaming and postseason information will be announced at a later date on MSUSpartans.com.
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