Michigan State University
Nebraska Qualifier
Michigan State Ties Ohio State At Inaugural Big Five Meet
3/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
LINCOLN, NEB. - The Michigan State gymnastics team traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska on Saturday to compete in the inaugural Big Five Meet with Nebraska, Maryland, Illinois and Ohio State. Scoring a 195.250, the Spartans tied the Buckeyes for third place behind Illinois' 196.250 and Nebraska's 196.000, but ahead of Maryland's 194.875.
"The team did a great job today, so it is so disappointing that we did not win the tie breaker for the night session at the Big Ten Championships," said head coach Kathie Klages.
The Spartans competed on beam in the first rotation of the day. As a team, MSU posted a 49.000, the second-highest team score of the season. MSU was led by freshman Hailee Westney who tied her career-high 9.850 on the event for the second-straight week, tying for seventh place. Junior Lisa Burt and senior Alina Cartwright followed suit, each tallying a 9.825 and tying for 11th. Sophomore Elena Lagoski worked her way back into the lineup this week, recording a 9.800 tying for 16th.
After a bye in the second rotation, the Spartans moved to floor in the third rotation of the day. Lagoski led the Spartans with a 9.800 and tied for third. Burt and sophomore Kira Frederick each tallied a 9.750 and tied for eighth. Ryan tied for 14th with a 9.725, helping the Spartans to a 48.675 as a team.
Cartwright led the Spartans on vault with a 9.875 and a third-place finish. Junior Nicola Deans marked a 9.775 for MSU, tying for 16th. This is the first time Deans has competed on vault since notching a 9.775 at UIC (2/22). Deans was followed by freshman Anna Gamelo and Lagoski who each marked a 9.750 and tied for 24th. As a team, the Spartans recorded a 48.875.
MSU moved to bars for the final rotation of the day where they posted a 48.700 as a team. Burt and Cartwright led the way, each earning a 9.775 mark and tying for 11th. Sophomore Mackenzie Smith tied for 16th with a 9.750 while Gamelo tied for 18th with a 9.725.
Burt was the sole Spartan to compete in today's all-around competition, placing eighth with a 39.075. Coming into today's meet, Burt has earned an all-around RQS of 39.345, ranking 19th in the nation.
"Many lessons were learned today and the team is fired up to prove that they belong in the upper echelon of the Big Ten," said Klages. "I am so proud of this group!"
The Spartans will compete in the first session of the 2015 Big Ten Championships on Saturday, March 21 in Ann Arbor. Competition will begin at 11:35 a.m.
Players Mentioned
