Through the first event, the Spartans trailed 49.450-48.800, and were in position to chase the nation’s top-ranked team if they could receive a follow-up performance on the bars.

Unfortunately for the Spartans, they saw a below-average performance on the bars, eventually falling 196.825-194.125 to the Sooners.

Despite the loss, all four Spartans’ seniors had solid overall showings in their Senior Night meet.

“I think that the leadership that they’ve provided and the help that they’ve given us to take this team into a new direction and up a level has been great,” head coach Kathie Klages said. “As we’re looking at all the scores and looking at the key players, it looks like seniors all over with the highest scores. They’re really going to be missed next year, and this team is going to have some big shoes to fill.”

Robinson posted scores of 9.80 on the bars and beam, while Curler placed first in the all-around competition with a score of 39.325.

Fellow seniors Emily Lopatofsky and Kelly Moffitt were strong in the floor exercise event, with Lopatofsky scoring a 9.800 and Moffitt earning a 9.550.

Curler, junior Kelsey Morley and sophomore Jackie Berg also scored 9.800 on the floor exercise, which was one of the strongest showings the Spartans have achieved this season.

On the beam, Curler scored a 9.90 while Morley added a 9.875. Morley finished third overall with a score of 38.350, behind teammates Curler and freshman Shanthi Teike, who finished second with a score of 38.450.

“Mentally we made a few mistakes, but our coaches told us to forget about that event and just refocus and that’s what we did,” Teike said. “I think that was one of the best floor performances we’ve done as a team.”

The Sooners didn’t compete any gymnasts in the all-around, but recorded seven finishes of at least 9.90, including Sara Stone’s 10.000 on the vault.

The Spartans fell to 9-5, but can look forward to a week off before traveling to California for matches against Cal State Fullerton on March 12 and No. 3 UCLA on March 14. The team will return home for a meet on March 20 against Pittsburgh that will be held at IM Sports-West.

Despite having one more home meet, the gymnastics seniors preferred to have their Senior Night at Jenison Field House, which they consider their home venue, Klages said.

The Spartans will lose plenty of leadership and talent after the season, but the cupboard is far from bare as Morley, Teike, junior Nicole Argiros and several other performers are set to return.

Nevertheless, the seniors still will have plenty more opportunity to lead the team with three more regular season meets and the Big Ten Championships remaining before regionals.

“I can’t even describe everything they’ve done for the team,” Morley said. “They’ve really taken a hold of us and are our role models.”