Michigan State University Athletics
Jackie Berg Earns Second Team All-Big Ten Honors
3/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 18, 2011
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Michigan State junior gymnast Jackie Berg earned Second Team All-Big Ten as announced by the conference office this evening (March 18) at the annual Big Ten banquet. This marks the first conference recognition for the Tinley Park, Ill., native. Also, senior Kathryn Mahoney was MSU's recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Berg has been the team's leader on the uneven bars all season as she has a regional qualifying score of 9.830, good enough for ninth best in the conference. On the year, Berg has placed in the top-three on nine different times, including three first-place finishes. Berg opened the year with a personal-best 9.875 to win the bars against Iowa, Michigan and Western Michigan. Berg would tie her career best on two other times - at West Virginia and while hosting Illinois.
Mahoney was forced to miss the 2011 season after fracturing her C6 vertebra while vaulting during a Dec. 29 practice. Since her accident, Mahoney has been an inspirational member of the team throughout the year as she has been in constant communication with the team each and every week. Prior to every meet, Mahoney talks with the team via Skype and wishes them words of encouragement. On senior night, the team welcomed Mahoney to the meet via the internet based program, allowing her to view each event via a computer. Following the meet, she was recognized, along with the entire senior class, while she thanked the crowd for all their well wishes and prayers.
A fund has been set up for Mahoney at the MSU Federal Credit Union, and donations will be used for any necessities that she needs as she begins the post-operative, recovery stage. Checks should be made payable to "Kathryn Mahoney Fund" and mailed to either the Michigan State Federal Credit Union, 3777 West Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 or MSU Gymnastics head coach Kathie Klages, 312 Jenison Field House, East Lansing, MI 48824-1025. People can also call (517) 333-2424 and make a deposit via virtual check at no additional cost.
The Spartans compete in the 2011 Big Ten Championships on Saturday, March 19 at 3:05 p.m. ET in Minneapolis, Minn. The competition is being held on the campus of the University of Minnesota in the Sports Pavilion. The meet will be aired live on the Big Ten Network.
Players Mentioned
