Spartan Gymnastics Heads to UC Davis for Season Opener

Sunday, January 9

Davis, Calif.

2 PM PT

Michigan State University

Tri-Meet with UC Davis & Sacramento State

1/8/2022 11:05:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics

Meet Notes

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State gymnastics makes its 2022 season debut on Sunday, Jan. 9, in a tri-meet at UC Davis with Sacramento State. Action gets underway in Davis, California at 5 p.m. (ET) at University Credit Union Center.

The Spartans are competing for the first time since February 2021 after a shortened season due to COVID-19. Fans are not permitted at the UC Davis meet, but will be welcomed back to Jenison Field House on Jan. 15 under Michigan State's Vaccination Policy for Spectators.

Watch live and live results links from UC Davis will be available at MSUSpartans.com, and complete results will be posted following the meet.

Michigan State was ranked No. 36 in the WCGA Preseason Poll and predicted to finish eighth in the Big Ten Conference Preseason Poll. The 2022 squad features six newcomers and 12 returning gymnasts.

BACK IN ACTION
The Spartans suffered from health and injury complications in spring 2021, ending the season with just two meets under their belt. In the season opener on Jan. 30 against Nebraska and Ohio State, MSU took home the crown with a team score of 195.775, the highest opening score in program history. Then-freshman Baleigh Garcia won on beam and all-around, earning her Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. In their second and final meet of the season, the Spartans ended up in third place in a tri-meet with Illinois and Ohio State. Registering a 194.500 team score, MSU was again led by Garcia with an all-around sweep.

QUOTING COACH ROWE
"This team has been working extremely hard, putting in the numbers and chasing every detail with a vengeance this preseason. After last season was shortened for us, we've been relentless in getting the most from every practice. The plan is to pick up from where we left off, one meet at a time, not wasting any opportunities. We'll be putting up three all-arounders this weekend with Skyla Schulte, Gabi Stephen and Delanie Harkness, all of them making their all-around debut for the Spartans. We are excited to get out of the gym and on the road, and leave everything on the floor!"

SKYLA SCHULTE AND GABI STEPHEN NAMED BIG TEN GYMNASTS TO WATCH
Freshmen duo Skyla Schulte and Gabrielle Stephen were selected as Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch by the Big Ten earlier this week.

Schulte enters her first year of competition for Michigan State. She is a five-year Level 10 gymnast from Elgin, Illinois 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. Both of her parents are alumni of Michigan State. "Skyla's signature is displaying her strength as a natural, relentless competitor. Combined with her artistry and performance attributes, her 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.
"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 gymnasts want to prove this season and in seasons to come."

UP NEXT
The Spartans host back-to-back meets starting next week. The home opener will take place on Saturday Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. in the form of a tri-meet with Bowling Green and Eastern Illinois. Big Ten competition will begin at home against Iowa on Jan. 22, also at 7 p.m.