Michigan State University Athletics
Skyla Schulte and Gabi Stephen Named Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch
1/4/2022 11:01:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State gymnastics freshmen duo Skyla Schulte and Gabi Stephen have been selected as the 2022 Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch for the Spartans, the league announced Tuesday.
"We are hungry to get back in the arena to pick up where we left off in 2021," MSU head coach Mike Rowe commented. "It was unfortunate that we lost our 2021 season, but with that, we have grown in so many ways as a team; athletically, mentally, in the classroom and as a family. The Big Ten gets more competitive each year and we have upped our game as well. We are so excited to be back in the hunt!"
Schulte enters her first year of competition for Michigan State and is a native of Bolingbrook, Illinois. She is a five-year Level 10 gymnast and was rated as a top-15 five-star recruit by College Gym News in 2020. Training with Phenom Gymnastics Club, Schulte garnered four career top-five finishes at the J.O. Level 10 National Championships. In the shortened 2020 season, she won eight events over two meets including titles in floor, beam, bars and all-around. Both of her parents are alumni of Michigan State.
"Newcomer Skyla Schulte arrived in East Lansing as the reigning 2021 DP National Champion in the all-around, beam and on floor," Rowe said. "Skyla's signature is displaying her strength as a natural, relentless competitor. Combined with her artistry and performance attributes, Skyla's infectious personality draws you in, validating her passion and love for Spartan gymnastics."
Stephen is a native of Elgin, Illinois and trained at the Midwest Elite Gymnastics Academy. She spent four years as a Level 10 gymnast and won six events at her two meets in 2020. She swept all five titles at the Circle of Stars in spring 2020 and earned a first-place spot on vault at the Midwest Elite Gymnastics Academy Spring Invitational.
"Another new face to Spartan gymnastics, Gabi's power and explosiveness on the leg events along with her dynamic approach on all four events demonstrates she has what it takes to be a strong consistent all-arounder," Rowe said. "Gabi too will be a fan favorite and we are excited to see what both Skyla and Gabi want to prove this season and in seasons to come."
Michigan State was selected to finish eighth in the Big Ten preseason poll, as voted on by Big Ten coaches.
The Spartans begin the 2022 season on Sunday, Jan. 9 at UC Davis in Davis, California, participating in a tri meet alongside Sacramento State in addition to the host Aggies. In alignment with UC Davis's transition to online learning, the event will no longer allow fan attendance. Ways to follow the action will be announced on MSUSpartans.com and on twitter at @MSUgymnastics. Further information about updated fan attendance policies for Michigan State home events can be found on MSUSpartans.com.
