With the postseason on the horizon, Big Ten gymnastics all-conference awards are out.
Five Michigan State gymnasts were honored for their performances this year, the Big Ten announced Wednesday.
Honorees include freshman Nikki Smith, sophomore Skyla Schulte, sophomore Gabrielle Stephen and junior Delanie Harkness, who were named to the All-Big Ten First-Team. Junior Baleigh Garcia was named to the all-conference second-team.
This year’s first-team honors is the most in MSU gymnastics history. The five total selections is second-most in program history behind the 2022 team who received six honors.
Schulte and Stephen received first-team honors for the second year in a row. Harkness was awarded for the second-straight year as well after making the second-team last season. Garcia also earned a spot on the second-team two years in a row.
All ten Big Ten women’s gymnastics teams received honors, while eight programs have first-team members.
Smith and Stephen also picked up Big Ten weekly honors this week. Stephen was named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week for the second time this season. Meanwhile, Smith earned her sixth Freshman of the Week accolade.
The Spartans are currently ranked No. 9 in the country, with a 197.575 team national qualifying score, after their second-straight record breaking meet on March 11. They also share co-conference champion honors with Michigan.
The Big Ten Championship starts Saturday at noon (ET) at Iowa’s Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.
The afternoon session features Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Penn State and Rutgers. The evening session begins at 5:30 p.m. (ET) and includes Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State. All events will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
