Michigan State University
Illinois
No. 10 Michigan State Stays Undefeated in Big Ten Action with 197.475-196.275 Win Over No. 25 Illinois
2/9/2024 11:30:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
EAST LANSING, Mich. - 10th-ranked Michigan State gymnastics earned a 197.475-196.275 win over No. 25 Illinois Saturday night at Jenison Field House to remain undefeated in the Big Ten this season.
MSU moves to 7-3 (4-0 B1G) while Illinois drops to 6-4 (1-3 B1G). The Spartans' 4-0 record in Big Ten action is their best start to the conference dual season since 1996.
Junior Skyla Schulte won her third all-around title of the season with a 39.475, while the Spartans also captured the vault, bars and floor titles.
"I liked everything from tonight," said head coach Mike Rowe. "I think we were a little flat on bars, but after being at Michigan last week and then coming back here, we're sitting in a really good place right now halfway through the season. We got a 197. We're in a good place. It is nice to know that we can build on each event if we have a little issue and I'm proud of what they did."
MSU took a narrow lead after the first rotation with a 49.350 on vault. Sophomore standout Sage Kellerman continued her streak of 9.900 scores or higher on the event with a 9.925 to win the event title. Sophomore Nikki Smith earned a 9.900 in the fifth spot, while freshman MaKayla Tucker and junior Gabrielle Stephen posted 9.825s. Making her second-career appearance for the Green and White, senior Tara Walsh scored a 9.775, and Schulte scored a season-high 9.875 in the leadoff position. MSU took the top six spots on vault.
Led by a 9.925 from senior Delanie Harkness, the Spartans scored a 49.200 on bars to take a 98.550-97.900 lead at the halfway point. Harkness captured the event title, while Schulte and Kellerman scored 9.850s to finish in a tie for fourth. Sophomore Olivia Zsarmani scored a 9.800 in her second meet back in the bars lineup and Stephen posted a 9.775 in the leadoff.
The Spartans earned their third-best beam score of the season with a 49.400 in the third rotation. Stephen posted a season-high 9.925 to finish second overall behind Illinois' Mia Takekawa, followed by senior Giana Kalefe in third with a 9.900. Schulte and Tucker scored 9.875s, while freshman Gabi Ortiz and senior Baleigh Garcia earned 9.825s.
MSU capped off the night with its best event score of the evening, earning a 49.525 on floor. Smith won her second floor title of the season with a 9.950. Tucker, Stephen and Harkness finished in a three-way tie for third with 9.900s, with Stephen earning a season high, while sophomore Elle Beaufait and Schulte scored 9.875s.
Stephen finished second in the all-around behind Schulte with a 39.425.
Up next, MSU hosts Maryland in its final conference dual meet of the season on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. The Spartans will wrap up the Big Ten season at the Big Five Meet on Friday, Feb. 23 at Penn State.
Players Mentioned
