Michigan State University
Iowa
Smith's Historic Perfect 10.000 Leads No. 14 Spartans to 197.400-195.700 Victory Over No. 20 Iowa
1/28/2024 6:15:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Nikki Smith scored MSU's second perfect 10.000 of the season to highlight a 197.400-195.600 victory for 14th-ranked Michigan State gymnastics over No. 20 Iowa Sunday afternoon in Jenison Field House.
MSU moves to 5-3 and remains undefeated (2-0) in conference action with the win, while the Hawkeyes, who competed in their third meet in seven days, drop to 2-2 (0-2 B1G).
The Spartans' 197.400 is the highest home opener score in program history. The win also marked MSU's first regular-season win over Iowa since Jan. 18, 2015.
"I'm thrilled. They did a great job from start to finish if you're talking about numbers here," said head coach Mike Rowe. "We had better vaults. I thought the scores were well-earned, but there's still more we can do. We can stick some landings. That'll help a lot. There are people who are vying for those spots that can contribute even more. We were very fortunate tonight to put up two exhibitions at each event. They needed that experience to get in front of a judge, and when we have them, we're going to do it."
In addition to Smith's perfect 10.000 to secure the vault title, MSU swept the remaining event titles while junior Skyla Schulte won her second-straight all-around title, matching a season-high 39.600. Junior Gabrielle Stephen collected the vault title and Schulte earned a share of the bars title alongside senior Delanie Harkness while capturing the outright beam title.
MSU opened the meet on vault with a 39.375, posting six scores of 9.825 or higher. Stephen's 9.925 marked her first vault title of the season and was a season high by nearly a full tenth. Sophomore Sage Kellerman continued her spectacular start to the season on the event with a 9.900 to finish second, while freshmen MaKayla Tucker (9.875) and Gabi Ortiz (9.850) both posted career highs. Schulte scored a 9.850 in the leadoff spot and Smith earned a 9.825.
The Spartans took the top five spots on bars en route to a 49.300 in the second rotation. For the second-straight week, Schulte and Harkness scored matching 9.900s to capture shares of the event title. Smith took third on the event with a 9.850, followed by Stephen and fifth-year senior Jori Jackard with 9.825s. Kellerman finished in seventh with a 9.800.
MSU took a 147.775-146.925 lead after the third rotation with a 49.100 performance on beam. Schulte's 9.900 was the only 9.900-plus score on the event of the afternoon and marked her second-straight title on the event. The Spartans took the remaining spots on the podium with senior Giana Kalefe and Ortiz finishing in a tie for second with 9.825s. Tucker made her return to the beam lineup with a career-high 9.775, joined by senior Baleigh Garcia, while Stephen scored a 9.750.
Saving its best event for last, MSU scored a season-high 49.625 on floor to run away with the meet in the final rotation. The Spartans' 49.625 ranks second all-time in program history on the event and ties for the fifth-best floor score in the NCAA this season. Sophomore Elle Beaufait scored a 9.875 in the leadoff spot before 9.850s from Tucker and Stephen. After Harkness put up a season-high 9.950, Smith earned a 10.000 in the fifth spot for the first 10.000 on floor in MSU history and second in her career. The perfect score is also the second for the Spartans this season after Kellerman opened the season with a 10.000 on vault on Jan. 5 and sixth overall.
Schulte closed MSU's floor rotation with a season-high 9.950.
"It (Smith's 10.000) was amazing, but of all people, she could do it," said Rowe. "So I'm not surprised. We weren't planning on it or counting on it, and when it happened, it made it even better. Very special for Nikki to do it. She works hard and is obviously extremely talented I'm just really happy where we are right now, and I hope we can stay on that path."
After capturing the all-around title, Schulte now holds a team-high seven event titles through the first four meets of the season. Stephen finished second in the all-around standings with a 39.350.
Up next, MSU travels to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to face in-state rival Michigan on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. The meet will air nationally on Big Ten Network.
Players Mentioned
