Freshman All-Around Nikki Smith after finishing her dismount on the uneven bars at the MSU vs. Penn State meet at the Jenison Field House on Feb. 4, 2023. The Spartans beat the Nittany Lions 197.450 - 195.475.
—Michigan State gymnastics pulled out all the stops to dominate its tri-meet against Bowling Green State and Long Island on Sunday. In the Spartans' first home meet since being named Big Ten champions, five program records were broken.
MSU finished with a 198.225 for the first time in program history, making them the eighth team to score above a 198 this season in the country. BGSU finished with 1a 96.200 and LIU scored a 196.1.
MSU began the first rotation on vault. Freshman Nikki Smith was the highlight of the rotation scoring a perfect 10.0. Sophomores Gabrielle Stephen and Skyla Schulte each scored above a 9.9 for their team, bringing the first rotation score to 49.575, the second record broken this meet.
Smith said she was excited after receiving her first perfect score at the collegiate level.
“(The team) helps me with everything to help me calm down whenever I’m nervous. I love them so much,” Smith said.
MSU gymnasts finished in the top three for the event, with Smith taking first, Schulte taking second and Stephen tying for third with Bowling Green sophomore Katrina Mendez Abolnik.
BGSU scored 49.225 on vault and LIU scored 49.175.
In the second rotation the Spartans took on the uneven parallel bars. After catching her Tkatchev skill and sticking her dismount, senior Jori Jackard smashed the third program record by scoring a 10 for the first time in program history.
Jackard said she feels amazing to have accomplished something she’s worked so hard for.
“To see it come true felt like I really accomplished my dreams, honestly. I’m just proud I could do it for the team,” Jackard said.
MSU scored 49.55 for the event with high scores of 9.95 contributed by Smith and junior Delanie Harkness in the anchor position. Freshman Sage Kellerman earned a 9.85, a breaking a personal record of hers.
BGSU scored a 48.850 and LIU scored 49.0.
A three-way tie for second place included Smith, Harkness and LIU freshman Syd Morris. Jackard took first place for the event.
During the third rotation, MSU competed on beam. Five of the six Spartan gymnasts scored 9.9 or higher, with junior Baleigh Garcia earning a 9.95. Stephen lost her footing during her routine and earned a 9.25.
Another three-way tie for second was shared by Schulte, Smith and LIU sophomore Ilka Juk. Garcia took home first for the event. MSU scored 49.600 while BGSU scored 49.050 and LIU earned a 49.000.
To wrap up the meet, the Spartans competed on the floor exercise. MSU scored the top four placings with Harkness winning the event title with a 9.95.
Second and third place were awarded to Schulte with a 9.925 and Smith with a 9.9, respectively.
MSU took 49.500 for the floor exercise. BGSU scored 49.075 and LIU scored 48.925.
Gymnasts from MSU took home every event title including the all-around competition, awarded to Smith.
Head coach Mike Rowe said that the team records broken today and perfect 10s scored by Jackard and Smith were not unprecedented.
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“Every time I say I can’t [believe] it, it just keeps happening,” Rowe said.
The Spartans are now 13-2 overall this season and have just one meet remaining in the regular season against Northern Illinois before heading to the Big Ten Championships in Coralville, Iowa on Saturday, March 18.
