Michigan State University
Big Ten Championships
Cartwright Leads Spartans at the 2015 Big Ten Championships
3/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Complete Results
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Michigan State traveled to Ann Arbor to compete in the 2015 Big Ten Championships on Saturday and posted a 195.650 as a team, placing eighth for the second-straight season.
"We started a little rough on vault today, but ended up having a good meet," said head coach Kathie Klages. "We were hoping for greatness, but that did not happen today."
The Spartans faced a home-meet format in the first session of the day, starting on vault before heading to bars, beam and floor.
Senior Alina Cartwright led the Spartans in the first rotation, marking a 9.825 on vault. Freshman Anna Gamelo followed suit, earning a 9.800 and increasing her RQS. Sophomore Elena Lagoski notched a 9.750 while junior Nicola Deans hit a 9.725, helping the Spartans to a 48.775 as a team.
Cartwright led the Spartans on bars as well, sticking a 9.825. Sophomore Mackenzie Smith marked a 9.800, reaching a 9.800 or higher for the seventh time this season. Junior Lisa Burt tallied a 9.775 while junior Brittany Holmes and freshman Anna Gamelo each marked a 9.700. As a team, the Spartans posted a 48.800 in the second rotation.
Moving to beam for the third rotation, the Spartans combined for the third-highest score of the season with a 48.900. Cartwright paved the way, scoring a season-high 9.875 and tying for seventh. Burt tied for 17th with a 9.825, increasing her season average on the event. Sophomore Holly Ryan reached a 9.800, tying for 23rd while increasing her RQS on beam.
The Spartans rallied in the final rotation, scoring a 49.125 on floor. Lagoski and sophomore Kira Frederick each earned a 9.900 on the event, tying for fourth. This is the eighth time this season that Lagoski has posted a 9.900 or higher on floor. Ryan followed suit with a 9.825, her highest score since marking a career high 9.875 at Illinois (Feb. 20).
Burt was the sole Spartan to compete on all four events, scoring a 39.075 and placing 18th among all-around competition. Burt has been ranked in the all-around top 25 throughout the entire 2015 season, most recently tallying a 39.345 RQS and ranking 23rd in the national all-around poll.
The Spartans made a presence in the post-meet ceremony as Lagoski and Frederick were named to the 2015 All-Championships Team, and Gamelo earned the Sportsmanship Award.
"We are excited that we will qualify for 2015 NCAA regionals," said Klages. "We will find out where we will be going on Monday, and look forward to another week to improve in the gym."
With a 195.610 RQS heading into this competition, the Spartans have secured their spot in the top 36 and will compete as a team at Regionals for the first time since 2012. Time and location will be determined on Monday.
Players Mentioned
