MSU gymnastics opened their season in a historic victory against Ohio State and Nebraska. In the victory, the Spartans finished with a final score of 195.775, which is the highest opening score in program history.
However, MSU started the day out a little behind, despite having good performances in their first event, the vault.
Freshman Baleigh Garcia started her debut strong as she scored a 9.75, as her fellow preseason Big Ten watch list honoree sophomore Nyah Smith also started strong with a 9.8.
Garcia was one of six freshmen making their debuts in this meet, but the youth of the Spartans is seen as a strength to head coach Mike Rowe.
“Our freshmen put up some big scores today and really made some huge contributions, but it didn’t surprise me,” Rowe said. “Even though we had six freshmen, (there’s) a lot of strength there and we rely on them.”
Junior Ashley Hofelich scored a 9.775, and senior Lea Mitchell started out what would be a great meet for her as she scored a 9.7.
Despite these scores, MSU placed third after the first rotation of events with a score of 48.625, while OSU started in first place with a score of 48.85 and Nebraska sitting in second with 48.675.
MSU’s performance would pick up as they headed to the bars for their second event.
Smith opened up the bar performances with a score of 9.725, but their score boosted up even higher as sophomore Jori Jackard scored a 9.8, freshman Delanie Harkness began her day with a 9.85, Mitchell continued her impressive outing with a 9.8 and Garcia scored a 9.825.
Their exceptional performance on the bars moved them into second place with a score of 49 after the second rotation, ahead of Nebraska who had 48.45 but still behind OSU who tallied 49.05.
MSU would head to the balance beam as they continued their comeback in the third rotation.
Junior Alyssa Wiedeman opened up the beam performances with a solid 9.725. Sophomore Chloe Bellmore scored a 9.825 in her first performance of the day, and this set off a string of very good performances on the beam.
Jackard followed Bellmore with a 9.8, Garcia totaled her highest score of the day with a near-perfect 9.9 and Harkness finished off the beam with a 9.825, pushing MSU into the lead with a score of 49.025 heading into the last event, the floor routines.
The Spartans finished the day with more solid performances on the floor.
Garcia continued her hot streak scoring 9.825, Mitchell had an impressive routine and received a score of 9.875 and Smith and Hofelich both finished their days with scores of 9.85 to secure the meet win for MSU.
While the Spartans enjoyed team success, they dominated in receiving individual wins as well.
Harkness tied for first place on the bars with her 9.85, Garcia took sole first place on the beam with her score of 9.9 and Mitchell tied for first place in floor performances with her score of 9.875.
MSU also swept the all-around scores for the meet. Mitchell took third place, Smith took second place and the freshman standout Garcia took first place.
Garcia, who had a stellar debut, didn’t have the first meet jitters like many would.
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“I loved being out here, the nervousness wasn’t as much as it used to be,” Garcia said.
The Spartans looked to be enjoying competing after a long layoff in competition. Mitchell, the veteran of the team being one of the few seniors, was happy, yet knows there is always room for improvement.
“There’s always room for improvement, but it was really fun being able to get out there again,” Mitchell said.
Coach Rowe agreed with this sentiment and said that while enjoying the victory, the team just has to continue and work on the small details.
The Spartans look to follow up on this outstanding performance on Feb. 7 as they head to Columbus, Ohio to take on Ohio State.
