In the other sessions, the remaining Big Ten teams competed, but none topped the scores from the final session.

MSU opened the meet on bars, scoring a 49.400 and sitting in third place with ground to make up after the first rotation. Senior Sage Kellerman anchored the rotation with a 9.950, tying her career high. Junior Kendall Abney scored a 9.900, senior Nikki Smith added a 9.875, junior MaKayla Tucker posted a 9.850 and freshman Lilia Cosman earned a 9.825.

MSU came out offensively, constructing routines on each element with the highest possible start values. On the bars, this meant aggressive handstands from both senior Naya Howard and Smith.

That approach set the tone for a meet defined by high standards and clean execution.

Minimizing landing deductions was critical as the Spartans moved to beam, an event that often proves make-or-break, where every gymnast either stuck their landing or showed only slight movement. Sophomore Cady Duplissis, Cosman and Smith all scored 9.900s to elevate the team to a season-high 49.375 on beam. 

Although the Spartans had to lead out on their two weakest elements, bars and beam, they impressed with above-average scores and put themselves in second place with the higher scoring elements yet to come. Ranked 13th on bars and 14th on beam, MSU outperformed itself to stay in contention for the title. While MSU typically excels on higher-scoring events, its first two rotations kept it firmly in the meet.

MSU then moved to floor exercise, where it ranks ninth nationally. Senior Stephanie Lebster and freshman Korynne Marquart earned 9.850s. Duplissis earned her second 9.900 of the night and Tucker earned her first.

All eyes were on Smith, who posted a perfect 10.00 on floor in the Spartan’s latest meet. Smith delivered with height and style, scoring a 9.950 to push MSU’s total to 49.450.

MSU closed on vault, its strongest event of the season.

This time, it produced a 49.250, the team’s lowest rotation score of the meet. But it was enough to secure second place. Kellerman anchored with a 9.925 in her final Big Ten vault routine. Tucker impressed with a 9.875 and kept herself in contention for the all-around title. Smith brought home a 9.850, while Marquart and Trostel both pulled off 9.800s. 

Although the Spartans performed well to finish second, they were no match for UCLA.

The Bruins entered as heavy favorites, led by Olympian Jordan Chiles. Chiles earned her seventh perfect 10 of the season, her fifth on floor, and won the all-around title with a 39.825. She also won floor and beam titles and tied for first on bars, alongside Big Ten Gymnast of the Year honors.

Smith finished with a 39.575 in the all-around, tying for second in a three-way tie, while Tucker posted a 39.450.

MSU entered the championship with a national qualifying score of 197.056, ranking 11th nationally. The top 16 teams earn seeds for the NCAA tournament, keeping the Spartans in strong position for Regionals. NQS is calculated by taking a team’s top six scores, three of which must be away, dropping the high and averaging the remaining five. This performance should boost MSU’s NQS and maintain its seeded position.

Individually, three Spartans are in strong contention for NCAA tournament qualification.

The top 12 all-around gymnasts and top 16 for each element qualify. Smith is ranked seventh on the floor and 10th all-around. Tucker is 20th on the floor and 11th all-around. Kellerman is eighth on the vault and 25th on bars. Spartan fans are likely to see at least one gymnast competing individually at Regionals.