Michigan State University
Big Ten Championships
Spartans Finish Fourth at 2008 Big Ten Gymnastics Championships
3/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 29, 2008
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Michigan State University gymnastics team placed fourth with a score of 195.050 at the 2008 Big Ten Championships, held today inside Crisler Arena on the campus of the University of Michigan.
Freshman Kelsey Morley, a finalist for the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award, had an impressive Big Ten Championship debut, tying for second on the beam with a 9.875. Meanwhile, sophomore Rochelle Robinson, a selection to the All-Big Ten second team yesterday, finished in a tie for fourth on both the vault and floor, and tied for sixth on the bars.
"I was pleased with our overall performance today," said head coach Kathie Klages. "It was nice to come out and improve upon our finish last season. I thought the team came out shy on vault and didn't attack like we have this season. However, we came back and were outstanding on bars. We did not perform up to our ability on beam, but again we responded and were fabulous on floor. Today's performance gives our team the confidence that we can score well, even without Nicole Curler."
Michigan won the Big Ten team title with a score of 196.750, while Illinois took second with a 195.750 tally and Penn State placed third with a 195.625.
After a first rotation bye, the Spartan began on vault with a team score of 48.625. Robinson led the way with her 9.850 to tie for fourth, followed by a pair of 9.725s by senior Rhiannon Banda-Scott and Morley. Penn State's Brandi Personett won the Big Ten vault title with a 9.950 in the last performance on the apparatus this afternoon.
MSU moved onto bars for the third rotation, scoring a 49.000, its second-best score of the season. Robinson again led the way with a 9.850, tying for sixth. Freshman Nicole Argiros tied a season-high with a 9.825 to place 12th, and freshman Nicole Heikkila and sophomore Megan Bergland added 9.800s to be among a group tied for 15th. Heikkila's score was a new season-high for the freshman. Michigan's Sarah Curtis won the conference's title on bars with a 9.950.
The Spartans had another bye in the fourth rotation and competed on beam in the fifth. A couple wobbly routines led to a team score of 48.575. Morley's 9.875 performance led the efforts and placed her second, and junior Katlyn Roggensack and sophomore Kelly Moffitt followed her with a 9.750. Morley was edged out by Julie Crall of Illinois (9.900) on the beam performance of the afternoon.
Following the sixth rotation bye, the Spartans concluded the afternoon on the floor and tallied a 48.850. Robinson tied for fourth with a 9.850 in the final floor performance of the championships. Sophomore Emily Lopatofsky tied for 10th with a 9.800. Penn State's Brandi Personett and Michigan's Kylee Botterman shared the Big Ten floor title, each with a score of 9.900.
Senior Rhainnon Banda-Scott, a first team All-Big Ten choice, was a finalist for the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year.
Today's Big Ten Championship can been seen on Thursday, April 3 at 8 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
Michigan State returns to competition in two weeks for the NCAA Central Regional Championships, scheduled for April 12. The location and start date are to be determined on Monday.
Players Mentioned
