Spartans End Second at Big Ten Gymnastics Championships

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 11 Michigan State gymnastics scored a 197.475 to complete second, its fifth-straight convention meet top-two end, on the Big Ten Championships Saturday night inside Illinois’ State Farm Center. 

UCLA received the meet with a 198.100, whereas Minnesota completed third with a 196.900 and Michigan scored a 196.800 to place fourth. With its second-place end, MSU strikes to 20-6 general on the season. 

“I’m so proud of this team tonight for walking into the arena on a mission to get it done,” stated head coach Mike Rowe. “Everyone stepped up and did their job. Considering the season-ending injuries this year, individuals worked hard to fill those open line-up spots and get the job done. A few of them even earned podium finishes. It might not have been quite enough to catch UCLA, but we topped both Michigan and Minnesota. The NCAA Selection Show is Monday and we’ll see who we’re up against in the second round of the NCAA Championships where everyone starts from a clean slate.”

Four Spartans earned podium finishes Saturday evening, highlighted by senior Sage Kellerman’s convention title on bars. With her victory on vault, she turned the primary Spartan since Kim Hartwick (1986-87) and second in program historical past to win Big Ten particular person titles in two totally different seasons, final profitable the vault title in 2023 throughout her freshman season. She additionally completed third on vault. Senior Nikki Smith captured runner-up honors on flooring and within the all-around and shared third place on beam alongside freshman Lilia Cosman and sophomore Cady Duplissis. 

All 4 Spartans have been additionally named to the All-Championships crew. 

MSU sat in third after the primary rotation behind first-place Michigan (49.550, flooring) and UCLA (49.425, beam) with a 49.400 on bars, tying its second-highest rating of the season. Kellerman led MSU with a career-high-tying 9.950 within the anchor spot to earn the occasion title, whereas junior Kendall Abney tied a career-high 9.900 within the fourth spot for the third-straight week. Smith earned a 9.875, junior MaKayla Tucker posted a 9.850, Cosman scored a 9.825 and senior Naya Howard led off with a 9.775. 

A season-high 49.375 on beam helped the Spartans transfer into second place behind UCLA, 98.100-98.775, after two rotations. MSU put up a trio of 9.900s from Cosman, Smith and sophomore Cady Duplissis to earn a share of bronze. Abney led off with a 9.850, which was matched by Tucker within the No. 5 spot, and junior Isabella Trostel scored a 9.825 within the second spot. 

The Spartans maintained second place behind UCLA, 148.550-148.225, with a 49.450 on vault. Smith led MSU with a 9.950 to complete as occasion runner-up. Tucker earned her eighth rating of 9.900 or higher on the occasion with a 9.900 within the No. 5 spot and was joined by Duplissis within the third spot, who tied her profession excessive with the 9.900. Senior Stephanie Lebster and freshman Korynne Marquart posted 9.850s within the lead off and No. 2 spots, respectively. 

MSU closed the meet with a 49.250 on vault to safe its second-place end. Kellerman anchored with a 9.925 to seize her second podium end of the day and lead the Spartans. Tucker earned a 9.875, Smith scored a 9.850 and Marquart and Trostel, who made her debut within the vault lineup, scored 9.800s. 

The 2026 NCAA Regionals choice present is scheduled for midday on Monday, March 23 on ESPNU. NCAA Regionals are scheduled for April 1-5 at Arizona State, Kentucky, LSU and Oregon State.