Michigan State University
Minnesota
No. 8 Gymnastics Wins Big Five Meet, Earns Back-to-Back Big Ten Regular Season Titles
2/23/2024 11:24:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A spectacular final rotation lifted MSU to its third-consecutive Big Five Meet victory en route to the program's second-straight Big Ten regular season title Friday night at Penn State's Rec Hall. MSU finished with a 197.275, defeating No. 14 Ohio State, No. 15 Minnesota, No. 23 Nebraska and Rutgers to finish the Big Ten season at 9-0, becoming the first team to go undefeated in conference action since 2022 and fourth team overall.
Since the conference began awarding regular season titles in 2013, the Spartans are the third team (Michigan, 2017-20 and 2022-23, Minnesota, 2013-14) in Big Ten history to win consecutive titles. MSU moved to 12-3 overall this season with its win Friday night.
The Spartans started the meet off strong with a 49.450 on vault, MSU's second-best vault score of the season and fourth-best all-time. Sophomore Nikki Smith led MSU with a 9.975 in the fifth spot, earning a 9.950-10.000 split from the judges to win the event title, and was followed by sophomore Sage Kellerman in the anchor position with a 9.900. Making her first appearance in the vault lineup since the second week of the season, sophomore Olivia Zsarmani scored a 9.825, while freshman MaKayla Tucker and junior Gabrielle Stephen earned 9.875s. Junior Skyla Schulte scored a 9.750 in the leadoff position.
After the first rotation, MSU held the lead with Minnesota, who scored a 49.450 on floor, followed by Nebraska in third and Ohio State in fourth.
MSU took a two-tenth lead after the second rotation with a 49.225 on bars. Schulte, Smith and senior Delanie Harkness led the Spartans with 9.900s to earn a share of second overall on the event. Stephen and Zsarmani scored 9.9750s, while Kellerman scored a 9.775 in the fourth spot.
The Spartans led second-place Minnesota, 98.675-98.475, followed by Nebraska's 97.275 in third after two rotations.
Seniors Giana Kalefe and Baleigh Garcia led the Spartans on beam with 9.850s, helping MSU to a 49.125 in the third rotation to hold a narrow 147.800-147.725 over Minnesota. Freshman duo MaKayla Tucker and Gabi Stephen scored a 9.775 and 9.650, respectively, while Stephen anchored with a 9.825.
While the Spartans were on a bye in the fourth rotation, Minnesota wrapped up their day with a 196.900 and Ohio State put up a 49.375 on vault to tie MSU at 147.800 heading into the final rotation.
MSU scored a 49.475 on floor to close the door in the final rotation. Sophomore Elle Beaufait scored a career-high 9.925 in the leadoff position and was followed by Tucker with a career-high tying 9.900, while Stephen and Harkness scored 9.875s. Ohio State finished their final rotation with a 49.200 on bars moments before Smith's floor routine in the fifth spot. Smith scored a 9.850 to seal the win for the Spartans and Schulte scored a 9.925 in the anchor position in the final routine of the meet.
The Spartans secured the No. 1 seed at next month's Big Ten Championships, hosted at Jenison Field House, for the second-straight year.
Up next, MSU hosts New Hampshire in non-conference action on Friday, March 1 at 1 p.m. for the Spartans' annual Pink Meet.
Players Mentioned
