Despite the intense atmosphere of one of the Big Ten’s most historic rivalries, both coaching staffs emphasized consistency and focus instead of emotion. MSU assistant coach Devin Wright said preparation for a rivalry meet starts with staying grounded.

"Obviously, there’s a lot of hype around it," Wright said. "We try to focus and stay in our bubble about us and treat it like any other meet. It’s easy to see it as something bigger, but we just stick to our approach and focus on what we’re doing."

This approach has been especially crucial for a MSU team adjusting to leadership changes this season. According to Wright, replacing key leaders from last year posed early challenges, but the Spartans have worked through them steadily.

"Our biggest challenge is we lost some leadership from last year," Wright said. "But we’re finding our rhythm. Our strength is they love to have fun. They’re really close, ride-or-die, they have each other’s backs mentality. That bond in and out of the gym is definitely our strength."

Several athletes have stepped up in response, including Tucker, who has taken on a bigger role in the all-around after previously competing in selected events.

"She worked hard all summer," Wright said. "Her grit and composure stand out. She’s a gamer. Even if warmups don’t go perfectly, she can let it go and move forward."

On the Michigan side, head coach Maile’ana Kanewa-Hermelyn shared a similar approach to preparing for the rivalry, emphasizing routine and internal focus.

"There’s not much in the training that we change at all," Kanewa-Hermelyn said. "It’s just another meet against another opponent. We channel our energy into focusing on our team only."

Michigan relied on its depth and experience throughout the meet. Coach Kanewa-Hermelyn pointed to the Wolverines’ culture as a key strength, supported by seasoned competitors such as sixth-year Carly Bauman, whose return has added stability in high-pressure situations.

"Our culture and team chemistry are huge," Kanewa-Hermelyn said. "From the staff, to the freshmen, to the managers — we’re a close-knit family."

Both programs highlighted growth beyond the scoreboard. Wright said she hopes gymnastics will give her athletes confidence that lasts beyond competition. Kanewa-Hermelyn emphasized the importance of personal growth and taking advantage of opportunities outside the gym.

MSU ultimately secured the victory through steady execution across all four events, narrowly outscoring Michigan in one of the closest finishes in the rivalry’s recent history.

The Spartans will next travel to Penn State on Feb. 8 for a 2 p.m. EST meet as Big Ten competition continues.