MSU's third place regionals finish best since 1989

Despite a trip plagued by delayed flights and a thunderstorm, the MSU gymnastics team placed third at the 2008 NCAA West Regional on Saturday in Corvalis, Ore.

Robinson

It was the first time the team was seeded entering a regional, and the third-place ribbon is the best finish the Spartans have had since 1989.

“It was a horrendous experience getting there,” MSU head coach Kathie Klages said.

“Thursday morning, we were delayed four and a half hours because of the thunderstorm, and we finally got to Chicago from Detroit. Then it was another five hours and we were rerouted to San Francisco. We spent the night in San Francisco.

“Then we had to go to practice (Friday); needless to say, we were a little exhausted. I’m very impressed how the team dug deep. On Saturday, we came out and did an excellent job throughout the entire competition.”

Oregon State won the tournament with a 197.100, U-M came in second with a 196.375 and MSU scored a 195.125 for third place.

Both Oregon State and Michigan advance to the NCAA Championships April 24-26 in Athens, Ga. Sophomore Rochelle Robinson qualified for nationals for the second consecutive season.

The team seemed to enjoy its “no pressure, have fun” mantra as senior Rhiannon Banda-Scott scored a 9.900 on the vault, which tied her at second.

And on the beam, an event the Spartans have struggled with recently, freshman Kelsey Morley scored a 9.900, also tying her for second place.

“The team realized they earned the right to be here,” Klages said.

“The pressure was not on our team. We did struggle a little bit with our bar dismount landings, but the girls really enjoyed themselves. That’s the way they need to approach every time they step out onto the floor, not just in a big tournament.”

With incoming freshmen and departing seniors, next year’s team will look slightly different.

Now the Spartans take a small hiatus and return for summer training; however, Robinson heads to Georgia to compete on the national stage.

And the team will lose Banda-Scott to graduation.

“She had a superb senior year,” Klages said.

“Those shoes will be hard to fill. The freshmen might be as talented, but are not as experienced. It’s a huge loss for us, but we’re a young team. ... The future is bright for Michigan State gymnastics.”