“I’m feeling good, I’m ready to go,” Neal said. “I’m excited to do vault because it’s my best event. It should be fine.”

Neal didn’t practice all of last week after tweaking her ankle earlier in the season, and being in and out of a walking boot the last few weeks.

She tied her career-high score of 9.925 on vault twice this season, and posted a 9.9 Regional Qualifying Score.

On a team of eight freshmen and four sophomores, head coach Kathie Klages said Neal used the adversity she had to overcome in her career to become a better leader.

“She had to take all these young kids and mentor them and get them through this season, and it was difficult,” Klages said. “She did an outstanding job. We’re really proud of her leadership and what she brought to the table.”

Klages said the coaches are proud of the athletes Neal has helped develop, but they are more impressed with how she’s handled herself and the person she’s become.

Neal was named Second Team All-Big Ten for the second consecutive year last month, after finishing the year with six vault titles.

Freshman Nicola Deans said Neal has been a mentor throughout the season because the two have similar strengths.

“When I first came here, I had a little bit of trouble, and I saw I lot of things that I was learning throughout the year,” Deans said. “She was a good example and someone who was there to talk to. Pretty much since I’ve been here, she’s been someone I look up to during practice.”

Deans said Neal has the mental aspect of the sport perfected, and passes her knowledge to the team easily, even when she’s not training everyday.

Now that the team’s season is done, and all that’s left to do is help out the gymnasts heading to regionals, Deans said her role has changed into more of support and encouragement.

“Trying to be there in the gym, even if I’m just riding the bike, to show support,” Deans said.
“It’s kind of nice to have people around, have people talk to them, because it’s not like
the normal situation for them.”

Neal said this year’s squad was one of the best, most unified teams she’s been on since arriving at MSU, and the fun atmosphere helped her be a better captain and teammate.

To make it to the NCAA Championships in Los Angeles, Klages said Neal essentially will need a 9.9 or perfect 10, an outcome both coaches and teammates believe could happen.

“It’s all going to depend on how good the vault is at that moment,” Klages said. “We know she can pull one out to where it’s a 9.9 to a 10.0, we know that’s feasible. That challenge is difficult, but it’s not impossible.”