Michigan State University
Penn State
Schulte Leads No. 16 Gymnastics to Season-High 197.475 in Victory at Penn State
1/19/2024 10:07:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Led by four event titles from junior Skyla Schulte, 16th-ranked Michigan State gymnastics defeated Penn State, 197.475-195.950, to open the conference season Friday night in University Park.Â
MSU moves to 4-3 (1-0 B1G) with the win, while Penn State drops to 4-1 (0-1 B1G). The Spartans' 197.475 is the ninth-best overall score and highest week three score in program history.
Schulte claimed the all-around title with a season-high 39.600 and captured shares of the bars (9.900) and beam (9.950) titles while earning the floor title (9.900). Senior Delanie Harkness tied Schulte for the bars title and sophomore Sage Kellerman completed the title sweep for the Spartans with a 9.950 on vault. Â
"What a great night," said head coach Mike Rowe. "I really think the team was tired of feeling average and wanted to show everyone what they're really made of."
MSU kicked off the meet on bars with a 49.400, its third straight week scoring a 49.325 or better on the event. In addition to Schulte and Harkness' 9.900s, MSU took the top five scores on the event. Kellerman scored a season-high 9.875 to match fifth-year senior Jori Jackard, who made her season debut. Junior Gabrielle Stephen earned a 9.850 in the leadoff spot and sophomore Nikki Smith scored a 9.775 in the anchor position.Â
"We had to make a couple of adjustments in the bars lineup because we met up with a little adversity in vault warm ups," continued Rowe. "Fortunately, Jori (Jackard) stepped out of the exhibition spot, freeing up the exhibition spot for Kendall Abney. Both changes paid off for the purpose intended. 49.400 was a great way to start and stuck landings really made the difference."
The Spartans put together another impressive showing on vault, led by Kellerman's second event title of the season for a season-high 49.300. Stephen and Schulte scored 9.850s, with Stephen posting a season-high and Schulte making her first vault appearance of the season. Senior Tara Walsh made her first career appearance in the Green and White, scoring a 9.825, while Smith also earned a 9.825 and freshman MaKayla Tucker scored a 9.775.Â
"We only put up three of our potential six 10.0 start value vaults as it's still early and we're trying to be smart with determining when they're consistent enough to benefit our event score," said Rowe. "Tara Walsh came out of the exhibition, contributing her 9.825 stuck yurchenko full. Gabi Stephen went back to the yurchenko full while we continue training consistency in yurchenko full and 1/2 landings. 49.300 is now our season high on vault as we continue our landings progress."
Penn State inched closer in the third rotation with a 49.350 on beam, but the Spartans were able to respond with their second-best floor performance of the season with a 49.325. Stephen and Nikki Smith scored 9.875s to finish in a tie for second, Tucker posted her second-straight career high on the event with a 9.850 and sophomore Elle Beaufait and fifth-year senior Nyah Smith scored 9.850s. Schulte's winning 9.900 was the only score above 9.900 on the event from either team Friday night.Â
"Floor came back to us today as landings, leaps and performance quality all improved to what I'd consider the best it's been this season," continued Rowe. "We were all extremely happy with the 49.325 but we all know we can also improve even on that. This team has once again risen to the occasion with Nicole's (Jones) choreography and you can start to see their heart and soul, along with their unique personalities, draw the fans in, making a huge difference compared to the first two weeks."
Leading by a over a point headed into the final rotation, MSU capped off the night with its best beam performance of the season with a 49.450 that tied for fifth all-time in program history. Senior Baleigh Garcia finished in a tie for third with a season-high 9.900 on the event. Freshman Gabi Ortiz made her collegiate debut on the event, earning a 9.875, while Stephen also scored a 9.875 and senior Giana Kalefe tied a season-high 9.850. Nikki Smith ended her all-around night with a 9.775. Schulte's 9.950 was the fourth of her career on the event and tied her career high.Â
"Saving the best for last, we finally found our stride and finished the meet with the confidence and rhythm we knew we had the potential for," said Rowe.
Schulte led a sweep of the all-around podium for the Spartans, followed by Stephen (39.450) and Nikki Smith (39.250). Each all-around score for MSU was a season high.Â
"It was great to get three all-arounders back out on the floor tonight with Skyla (Schulte) winning, Gabi Stephen finishing second and Nikki Smith following to complete the sweep," conlcuded Rowe. "What a great way to open our 2024 Big Ten season, and only to return to Happy Valley for Big Fives in February."
Up next, the MSU hosts Iowa for its home opener on Sunday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. in Jenison Field House. The meet will serve as MSU's Alumni Day and 50th Anniversary Meet. The meet will stream on B1G+.Â
Players Mentioned
