Spartan Gymnasts Showcase Talent At Intrasquad Meet

Dec. 10, 2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Spartan gymnastics team gave its fans a taste of what is in store for the 2006 gymnastics season on Saturday, Dec. 10 with its intrasquad meet. It marked the first time this season the gymnastics team performed outside of practice, showing off their new routines, and being judged on their exercises.

"I'm glad we got our first competition out of the way," head coach Kathie Klages said at the conclusion of the meet. "It was a different setting today, in terms of the fact that we had a real crowd and real judges, instead of me judging them in practice."

Six gymnasts performed in each event, with the top five scores counting toward the team score of 189.55. All-around champion junior Kristen Coleman finished first on both the uneven bars (9.825) and the balance beam (9.775), and came in second with her vault (9.75) and floor (9.7) exercise scores.

"Kristen Coleman had an outstanding meet in all four events," Klages said. "She was only a half-tenth off her all-time all-around score, which is incredible for her. We're really excited for her."

Senior Sarah Alexander also turned in an impressive performance for the Spartan gymnasts. Alexander tied Coleman in both the vault (9.75) and balance beam (9.775), and finished first with her 9.825 floor exercise.

Freshman Katelyn Roggensack impressed the crowd as well when she grabbed a pair of third-place finishes on the balance beam (9.55) and floor (9.675). Junior Chayla Hill finished first on the vault with a score of 9.8. Sophomore Bethany Little and junior Victoria Iakounina finished second and third on the uneven bars with scores of 9.575 and 8.9, respectively.

Overall, Klages was encouraged with her gymnasts' performances.

"We have some great gymnasts, and I'm really excited about the season," Klages said. "We had some athletes try some brand new skills that they've never used before today's competition."

The Michigan State gymnastics team opens its season with a meet against Kentucky on Jan. 6 at Jenison Field House in East Lansing.