Michigan State University Athletics
Gymnastics Celebrates Season with Yearly Awards
5/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
May 18, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. - In celebrating the program's 13th NCAA Regional appearance, and fourth consecutive, the Michigan State gymnastics team celebrated the 2010 season with its annual banquet held at the Spartan Stadium Tower on Sunday, April 18.
As with every season, the Spartans announced their yearly awards that were handed out during the evening. Senior Nicole Curler was the team's recipient of the Most Valuable Gymnast award, which is voted upon by her fellow gymnasts. Sophomore Alyssa Brennan took home the Most Improved Gymnast honor, while senior Megan Bergland was the recipient of the Spirit Award. Seniors Emily Lopatofsky and Rochelle Robinson were co-recipients of the Coaches' Award, which is selected by the MSU coaching staff.
As the Spartans' lone NCAA representative this season, Curler competed in the all-around in all 15 competitions this year. On Feb. 26 against then ranked No.1 Oklahoma, Curler posted a career-best score of 9.925 on the vault, a mark that is tied for fifth all-time in program history. She led the team in the all-around, earning second-place finishes six times and first two times. Curler became the 14th Spartan to qualify for the NCAAs, and 10th non-alternate to compete.
"Nicole was the obvious choice for this award," said head coach Kathie Klages. "She competed the all-around in every meet this season. She qualified for the NCAA National Championships and performed like a true champion."
Alyssa Brennan was voted by her fellow gymnast as the Most Improved Gymnast. Brennan, who missed the 2009 campaign after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in preseason training, made her debut in the Spartan lineup this season on Jan. 30 against Ohio State during the Flip for a Cure meet. Against the Buckeyes, Brennan competed on the vault while also exhibiting on the balance beam. In the regular season finale against Pittsburgh, Brennan posted a career-high score of 9.775 on the vault. After entering the vault lineup against OSU, Brennan remained in the vault rotation for the final 10 competitions of the season.
"Alyssa Brennan was chosen by her peers as the most improved gymnast for the 2010 season," Klages said. "Alyssa did not compete her freshman year due to a knee injury. She worked her way back into gymnastics and was able to make major improvements from September to March. We are proud of what she accomplished this year."
After being forced to retire due to injury a season ago, Megan Bergland has adapted to her new role on the Spartan team as a student coach.
"For the second year in a row, Megan has won the Spirit Award," said Klages. "After medically disqualifying due to a back injury after her sophomore year, Megan needed to find a different avenue to contribute to her team. She changed roles from active gymnast to student coach; a difficult role change for any student-athlete. However, Megan did so with class and gained respect from her peers as a coach. Megan brought so much energy to the gym on a daily basis. She will be missed next year."
Lopatofsky ended her Spartan career in fine fashion. Lopatofsky posted a career high of 9.850 on the beam at UCLA on March 14. The Waymart, Pa., native, tied her career-best score of 9.900 on the floor on February 20 against New Hampshire at home.
In 2007, Rochelle Robinson became the first Spartan in program history to obtain a perfect 10.0 when she posted that mark at New Hampshire on Feb. 10. Robinson would later go on to qualify for the NCAA Championships as an individual her freshman season.
"Rochelle took control of this team and lead in a way this team has never been lead before," noted Klages. "She demanded that all team members realize that this was their team, their responsibility to excel, and their desire that would carry them on to success. It was a refreshing attitude from a coach's perspective. "
The Spartans finished the season No. 29 in the final GymInfo national ranking after placing sixth at the NCAA Lexington Regional. MSU also placed three gymnasts on All-Big Ten teams, marking the sixth time three Spartans have received the honors in a season and the third straight year. Senior Nicole Curler was a first team selection, while classmate Rochelle Robinson and junior Kelsey Morley were named to the second team. After finishing 27th on the beam a year ago, the Spartans improved their national ranking to 19th this season.
Players Mentioned
