The No. 6 Michigan State University gymnastics team claimed victory over No. 20 Michigan in an in-state rivalry meet at the Breslin Center.
With a final score of 197.500-196.975, MSU improved to 5-1 against Michigan in their last six meetings.
MSU gymnastics shines in rivalry win over Michigan at Breslin Center
Michigan State junior all-around gymnast Olivia Zsarmani competes on the beam during the meet against the University of Michigan at the Breslin Center on Jan. 17, 2025.
The Spartans entered the meet with a 3-1 record, coming off a second-place finish at a quad meet in Gainesville, Florida, where they edged Nebraska and Northern Illinois but narrowly trailed Florida (196.675-196.650).
Michigan entered the meet ranked No. 20 in the Week 2 Road to Nationals standings with a 3-1 record and a team average of 195.450. The Wolverines most recently claimed victory in the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad in Oklahoma City, posting a season-high 195.925 to defeat Clemson, Arizona, and NC State.
This marked the first-ever matchup between the in-state rivals at the Breslin Center.
"It was super amazing just looking up, seeing everything when the lights went off and just soaking in the crowd." Senior Gabrielle Stephen said.
Head Coach Mike Rowe took a moment to take in the atmosphere at the event amidst the drama.
"It was just what I imagined it would be, but then 10 times. A couple times I got teary eyed, the crowd was electric and we feed off of that," Rowe said.
Michigan State began on the vault, where the team’s six-person lineup posted a leading score of 49.350. Junior Nikki Smith and sophomore Makayla Tucker led the way with standout scores of 9.950 and 9.900, respectively. Both were full of energy, which brought the crowd to their feet as the remaining Spartans had performances on the floor, all scoring above 9.800.
In the second rotation on uneven bars, junior Sage Kellerman earned a team-high 9.900, while senior Gabrielle Stephen and fifth-year senior Delanie Harkness added scores of 9.875. The Spartans recorded a total score of 49.375 and a running score of 98.675 as Michigan wasn't too far behind with a score of 98.450.
In the beam rotation, juniors Nikki Smith and Olivia Zsarmani, along with fifth-year senior Giana Kalefe, each scored 9.875. With this, the Spartans recorded a running score of 148.
The final rotation for the Spartans was the floor. Junior Elle Beaufait opened for the Michigan State lineup and had an impressive showing, finishing with a score of 9.900. Then came Nikki Smith who stole the show as she ended with 9.925 as her final score which gave the Spartans a final overall score of 197.500.
"Nikki is Nikki, it’s probably one of the best floor routines I’ve ever seen. I had it at a 10," Rowe said.
The Spartans improved to 4-1 on the season and will travel to Columbus to face Ohio State on Friday, Jan. 24.
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