“We’re still putting pressure on the kids (in practice), even more so than in the past,” head coach Kathie Klages said. “So if they miss, we have them do it two more times, which puts a lot more stress on them. They need to feel similar in practice as they do in a meet. There’s no way to make it the same, but we do the best we can.”

The Spartans (1-2 overall) hope to see an improvement on the event come Saturday when they host Southeast Missouri State at Jenison Field House for MSU’s alumni meet.

Former MSU gymnasts will be introduced prior to the meet as part of the event, something Klages thinks will inspire her team to perform at an even higher level.

“I’m really excited about the possibility of seeing a lot of former athletes here,” she said. “But it’s also fun for the girls to perform in front of those athletes, because they know that those athletes paved the way for them, so they want to show off and do well for them.”

But even with the excitement of former Spartan athletes in the stands, MSU will need to be confident to record a score of 195 or higher.

Senior Alyssa Brennan said confidence should come much easier to the Spartans now that they have a season win, especially on the event they have struggled with the most.

“It definitely will help us on beam,” she said. “After getting a win, I don’t think we’ll be as afraid of the beam, and we’ll be much more aggressive.”

On Saturday’s meet, sophomore Sarena Bumbarger placed second on the balance beam, the only Spartan so far to place in the event.

Bumbarger said although she hopes her strong performance helps push the team harder, for her, each routine is its own entity, and she doesn’t pay attention to her teammates’ performances.

“No matter if I’m first or last (in the lineup), it doesn’t matter to me,” she said. “It’s just a beam routine, like in the gym when Kathie’s watching me. I just try to (mentally) put myself there.”

Despite the fact that Klages has been forced to devote more time to balance beam than she would like, she said MSU’s performance in the other four events have not suffered from a lack of focus.

“We’re still getting to (practice) other events and getting our same demands met,” Klages said. “I don’t think we suffer there … The more that we can get them to be successful in the gym, the more we can build on that confidence.”