Gymnastics Wins Fox Run Invitational

Feb. 15, 2003

DURHAM, N.H. - The Michigan State gymnastics team claimed the Fox Run Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 15, in Durham, N.H., with a team total of 194.325 - over two and a half points higher than the second-place score of host New Hampshire (191.875). George Washington (191.425) and Bowling Green (190.900) rounded out the four-team meet.

Freshman Sarah Alexander (Kernersville, N.C.) paced the Spartans with two event titles and the all-around crown. Alexander won the balance beam (9.850) and the floor exercise (9.875) and finished second on the uneven bars (9.800), en route to the all-around title with a season-best score of 39.250.

Along with Alexander, Michigan State received strong support from several other members. Sophomore Kristin Merritt (Racine, Wis.) tied with Alexander for second on the uneven bars with a 9.800. Senior Kristina Petersen (Saginaw, Mich.) and sophomore Lauren Simpson (Fenton, Mich.) tied for fourth on the event with a 9.700 to give the Spartans four of the top five places on the event.

Senior Julie Devaty (North Olmstead, Ohio) finished third on the balance beam with a 9.825, while Simpson posted a third-place score of 38.475 on the all-around. Michigan State received a fourth-place finish on the vault from sophomore Anna Hunsinger (Elizabethtown, Ky.) and a pair of fifth-place places on the event from both Alexander and Simpson.

MSU returns home to Jenison Field House on Saturday, Feb. 22, when they host Big Ten foe Illinois. The Spartan Invitational, sponsored by Country Markett, is slated to begin at 2 p.m., in Jenison Field House.

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Players Mentioned

Sarah Alexander