It was a competition once again led by senior Nikki Smith, who earned the all-around title with a score of 39.625. She also earned the individual title on bars and vault, and shared the floor title with fellow Spartan Gabi Ortiz and two Georgia gymnasts. She earned the third perfect 10.000 on vault of her career and the fifth total.

MSU led off on bars, scoring a 49.200. Smith and senior Sage Kellerman led with scores of 9.925 and 9.900, respectively. Junior MaKayla Tucker scored a 9.825, junior Kendall Abney scored a 9.800, and senior Naya Howard rounded out the scoring with a 9.750. Despite the slightly below-average rotation, MSU trailed Georgia by 0.50 and Southern Utah by 0.25, leaving the Spartans within striking distance of the top two.

Freshman Lilia Cosman suffered an injury while competing on bars, likely ending the tournament for her.

Next up, the Spartans looked to gain an advantage on beam, moving up to second but still 0.400 behind leader Georgia. It wasn’t ideal for Smith, as she scored a 9.750 that was dropped, but it wasn’t enough to stop her from taking home the title. Junior Isabella Trostel and Tucker each scored a 9.850, followed by Abney with a 9.825. Sophomore Cady Duplissis and freshman Isabel Biro each scored a 9.775, bringing the team total to 49.075. After a dazzling display on beam at the Big Ten Championships, MSU reverted to a rougher performance, scoring well below its season average.

The Spartans had the chance to further stake their claim on the floor. Senior Stephanie Lebster and Duplissis each earned 9.850 and freshman Korynne Marquart scored 9.900.

Junior Gabi Ortiz earned a career-high 9.950 to keep the Spartans in a good position before Smith stunned with another 9.950. This performance brought the Spartans into first place, leading Georgia by .250 heading into the final rotation due to a shaky beam performance from the GymDogs.

The Spartans’ strongest element of the season, the beam proved to be the decisive factor in MSU’s win. Duplissis led out with a 9.800 and Trostel followed with a career-high 9.875. Tucker and Kellerman earned 9.950 each, sticking the landing and regaining composure lost in the first elements. Smith put her name up in lights with her perfect vault and stuck landing, leading to the 10.000.

Overall, the Spartans struggled where they excelled in Champaign. As they look to advance further in the postseason, MSU will need to minimize landing deductions on certain elements. Their weaker events led to a shaky start, but floor and vault boosted their score to secure the victory.