Gymnastics Adds Five on Signing Day

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State gymnastics head coach Mike Rowe announced the signing of five incoming student-athletes to MSU's 2023 roster.

Stephanie Lebster, Nikki Smith, Sage Kellerman, Olivia Zsarmani and Elle Beaufait all signed their National Letters of Intent and will join the Spartans on campus in fall 2022. Stephanie Lebster is the younger sister of Genna Lebster, while Nikki Smith is the sister of Nyah Smith, both current members of the MSU gymnastics team.

"We're ecstatic about these five gymnasts joining the Spartan gymnastics family," Coach Rowe commented. "All of them provide versatile talent and artistry to the gym, as well as great personalities outside the gym. Two of them are younger sisters to current MSU gymnasts, so we're beyond proud and excited to continue the Spartan legacy. We can't wait for our fans to see these five compete for the Green and White in 2022!"

Nikki Smith | West Bloomfield, Mich. | North Farmington HS | EuroStars Gymnastics

Rowe on Smith: "Nikki joins us as a 5-star recruit and the younger sister of junior Nyah Smith. Nikki's dynamic athleticism and difficulty propelled her to six top-five finishes at the 2021 Nastia Luikin Cup and USAG DP National Championships. Nikki's competitiveness, artistry and consistency will definitely thrill Spartan fans!"

Prior to MSU: Trained at EuroStars Gymnastics in Plymouth, Mich. under Tania Gueorguiev, Nicole Cook and Anna Genrich … A seven-year Level 10 athlete … Two-time Michigan State All-Around Champion … 2021 Region 5 All-Around Champion, sweeping three of four events … Two-time Nastia Cup Qualifier … Captured second place on floor, third on vault and fifth all-around at the 2021 Nastia Cup … Three-time JO National Qualifier … 2021 National Floor Champion and finished fourth place in all-around and vault at the USAG DP National Championships ... Represented Region 5 on the All-Star Team in Arizona in 2021 … Rated a five-star recruit by CollegeGymNews.

Personal: Daughter of Antoinette and Jason Smith … Has an older sister, Nyah, who is a junior on the gymnastics team at Michigan State.

Sage Kellerman | Lexington, Mich. | Croswell-Lexington HS | All-American Flames

Rowe on Kellerman: "Sage joins us with strength on every event, having had her most successful DP season of her career in 2021. Her ambition, new upgrades and competitiveness will definitely raise the bar for 2022, increasing our depth with her tenacity to persevere and continue to grow as a Spartan."

Prior to MSU: Trained at All-American Flames Gymnastics in Port Huron … Coached by Melinda Schieble … A six-year level 10 athlete … Two-time Junior Olympic National Qualifier … 2021 National runner-up on vault … 2021 State and Regional vault champion, while also taking second place on floor at the 2021 Region 5 Regional Championships … Rated a three-star recruit by CollegeGymNews.

Personal: Daughter of Teresa and the late Jayson Kellerman … Has a younger brother, Lars.

Olivia Zsarmani | Statesville, N.C. | South Iredell HS | Kristie Phillips Athletic Center

Rowe on Zsarmani: "Olivia is joining us coming off her best DP season in 2021 as well, taking fourth on vault at the DP National Championships. Olivia is currently upgrading bars, beam and floor and without a doubt will be an exemplary collegiate gymnast, helping the Spartans' depth and consistency with personality plus along the way."

Prior to MSU: Trained at Kristie Phillips Athletic Center in Statesville, North Carolina … A four-year Level 10 athlete … Multiple-time State, Regional and National Qualifier … Captured fourth-place on vault at the 2021 National Championships … 2019 Level 10 National Qualifier … Won the floor event and was runner-up in beam and all-around at the 2019 WOGA/Liukin Invitational … Placed first in vault, second on beam and floor at the 2019 Legacy Elite Classic.

Personal: Daughter of Tonya and Xavier Zsarmani Sr. … Has five siblings, XJ, Laila, Jayda, Zayda and Shakia.

Elle Beaufait | Columbus, Mich. | Marysville HS | Olympia Gymnastics Academy

Rowe on Beaufait: "We are thrilled to have Elle join our Spartan family this fall. While her immediate strengths have been floor and beam, this summer she has upgraded her skills, increasing her potential on vault and bars as well. Elle's commitment and work ethic have left all options open and we are so excited to see where it takes her!"

Prior to MSU: Trained at Olympia Gymnastics Academy, coached by Jordyn Childers and Deanna … A three-year Level 10 gymnast … Took fourth-place on floor at the 2021 Region 5 Regional Championships … Multiple-time State and Regional qualifier … Finished first with her floor routine at the 2019 Region 5 Regional Championships.

Personal: Daughter of Jodi and Ralph Beaufait.

Stephanie Lebster – Holland, MI

Rowe on Lebster: "Stephanie is coming on board joining her sister, Genna, a freshman, who joined us in the fall of 2021. She qualified for the DP National Championships in 2021 and while her strengths lie on the leg events, her ambition and commitment are increasing her capability to do great things on beam and bars as well."

Prior to MSU: Four-year Level 10 athlete and a Level 10 State, Regional and National Qualifier … National Qualifier in the 2021 Junior Olympics … Took fourth place in vault at the 2021 Region 5 Regional Championships … Third place in beam, floor and all-around at the 2021 Buckeye Classic … Won the beam title and was runner-up in all-around at the 2019 Eastern National Championships.

Personal: Daughter of Ryan and Cathy Lebster … Has three sisters Kayla, Genna and Danielle Lebster … Older sister, Genna, is a freshman gymnast at Michigan State.

Players Mentioned

Genevieve Lebster

Nyah Smith