MSU delivered on the occasion. It was a meet marked by season highs and clean performances all around. The Spartans blew their opponents away with their season-high floor score of 49.575 and high scores on both vault and bars. 

Junior MaKayla Tucker and senior Nikki Smith shared the All-Around title with scores of 39.500. Senior Sage Kellerman earned the bars title and shared the vault title with Smith. Tucker shared the beam title with Maryland’s Madeline Komoroski. The floor title was split between three Spartans — Smith, Tucker and freshman Korynne Marquart — and Maryland’s Aine Reade. 

While these consistent star performers certainly brought the Spartans much of their score, head coach Mike Rowe emphasized how important the competition within his squad was in securing the victory.

"It was a dog fight for a couple of them to get in," Rowe said. "They're all supporting each other, they're all having each other's backs — but they're still fighting for that spot. The passion is there."

Kellerman and Smith led the team off with two scores of 9.900 on vault, propelling MSU to a rotation score of 49.250 — leading in the first rotation by significant margins of .450 over Maryland and 1.175 over WMU. Smith’s score was the best of her season and the rotation score was above MSU’s average on vault. 

MSU earned a team season high on bars, with Kellerman scoring 9.925 and Smith posting another individual season high of 9.900. Junior Kendall Abney and freshman Lilia Cosman also set season highs of 9.825 and 9.850, respectively. The Spartans finished the second rotation with a 49.350 — 0.350 points above their average. This strong performance on what is typically MSU’s weakest event helped maintain the momentum that would carry the Spartans to victory.

Rowe was impressed with his team's performance on bars, saying it was the biggest difference between this meet and previous competitions.

MSU moved to the beam next, the team’s strongest event this season. Unlike the other events, where the Spartans outperformed themselves, beam proved more challenging than usual. Despite a slightly underwhelming score of 49.075, the Spartans remained comfortably in the lead. Sophomore Cady Duplissis scored an individual season high of 9.850, and Tucker tied Maryland’s Komoroski for the event high at 9.875.

MSU's depth was on show for the final element, Rowe describing the potential within his squad being realized. 

"To say that you have depth and know what their potential is one thing, but to see it here, and you see them actually develop it and everybody experiences it — it’s really exciting."

Floor was the final event for the Spartans — and they dominated. All six performers scored 9.900 or higher. Senior Stephanie Lebster opened with a career-high 9.900. Marquart followed with a 9.925 in her floor debut. Duplissis and junior Gabi Oritz added two more 9.900s, while Tucker and Smith each scored 9.925, giving MSU a season-high floor score of 49.575.

MSU gymnastics will face No. 19 Ohio State next Saturday, Feb. 21, at home in Jenison Fieldhouse.