Michigan State University
Michigan
Wolverines Edge Michigan State, 196.950-194.775
3/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 17, 2006
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Michigan State women's gymnastics team scored its second-best team score of the season, but fell to arch-rival Michigan, 196.950-194.775, on Friday night. Senior Sarah Alexander (Kernersville, N.C.) enjoyed the final regular-season meet of her career, finishing second on the balance beam and garnering scores of 9.825 or better in all three of the events in which she competed. Junior Kristen Coleman (Cornwall, Ont.) and freshman Briana Dicus (Rochelle, Ill.) also added top-three finishes for MSU, on bars and beam, respectively.
The Spartans opened the meet on bars and posted a team score of 48.775. Coleman paced Michigan State with a fourth-place finish in the event, netting a 9.825 for the Green and White. Michigan took an early lead, following the first rotation, scoring a 49.225 on vault.
Coleman added a 9.875 on the vault to key a strong rotation for MSU, in which the Spartans posted a 49.175 to inch closer to the Wolverines. Alexander and junior Victoria Iakounina (Dumfries, Va.) each garnered scores of 9.850, while junior Chayla Hill (Hudson, Ohio) added a 9.825.
Michigan increased its lead to 147.525-146.500 after a third rotation that saw Michigan State score a 48.550 on floor exercise. Alexander was the top scorer for the Green and White, earning a 9.825. Coleman and Hill chipped in posting scores of 9.750 and 9.625, respectively.
The Spartans capped the meet with a 48.225 on balance beam, led by Alexander whose strong performance netted the senior a 9.850 and a second-place finish. Dicus placed third with a 9.800, but the Wolverines posted a 49.400, including a trio of 9.900's, on floor exercise during their final rotation to seal the victory.
The Spartans and Wolverines will meet again next Saturday, March 25, in East Lansing, when Michigan State hosts the 2006 Big Ten Championship at Jenison Field House, beginning at 6 p.m.
Players Mentioned
