Michigan State University Athletics
MSU Falls to Iowa in Home Opener
1/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State hosted Iowa on Friday evening in its home-opening meet of the season, falling to the Hawkeyes 194.9-192.575. Elena Lagoski won the floor while freshman Drew Hendershot took second in just her second collegiate meet while Lisa Burt tied for second on the bars.
"We are going to have to change some things in practice for them to be tough enough and to handle the transition from the practice gym to the competition floor," head coach Kathie Klages said. "There was not a kid out on the floor tonight that doesn't do their routine perfectly in the practice gym. I'm not totally sure what it is, but we are going to work on it."
The meet was held in Jenison Field House, simultaneously with MSU wrestling's meet vs. Purdue, billed as the "Tumbles and Takedowns" event. The Spartans fell to the Boilermakers 27-15.
The Spartans opened on vault, as Anna Gamelo posted a 9.675, Haley Sedgewick earned a 9.625 and Roya Shirley got her first run as a Spartan in the third spot, posting a 9.7 in her first-ever collegiate competition. Lisa Burt followed with a 9.725, as each of the first four Spartans met or exceeded their score from last week's opener at Arizona. Elena Lagoski (9.675) and Nicola Deans (9.7) finished it up for MSU, as the Spartans posted a 48.475 on the event, just missing last week's score of 48.50. Burt's score was good for third overall, and Shirley took fifth.
MSU moved to the bars for the second rotation, with Brittany Holmes (9.425) starting a bit slow, but Lagoski completed her second-ever collegiate bars routine with a 9.65, and Kira Frederick had a 9.775 for the second straight meet. Freshman Jessica Ling had a tough routine, but Nicola Deans got MSU back on track with a season-best 9.675, and Lisa Burt anchored MSU's effort by tying her week-one effort (9.825). Burt took second overall, tying Angel Metcalf and finishing behind Hawkeye Johanny Sotillo, who scored a 9.85. Frederick took fifth overall. Iowa posted a 48.90 score on the bars in their first rotation, edging MSU (48.350).
Michigan State had a trio of rough routines on beam, but got season-bests from Holmes (9.725), Frederick (9.65) and Burt (9.75) to finish with a 47.200. Hailee Westney went 9.45 in an exhibition routine as well. The Hawkeyes finished their night on the beam, recording a 48.600 as a team with a second win of the night for the Hawks' Sotillo, who recorded a 9.825.
Freshman Drew Hendershot led off on the floor for the Spartans with an impressive 9.8, getting MSU off to a strong start on their final event. Ashley Noll finished with a 9.425 and Holmes racked up a 9.775, just shy of her career best (9.8). Kira Frederick followed with a 9.725 and Lagoski finished strong for MSU, who delivered her season-best 9.85 to finish first overall in the event. Holly Ryan closed it out with an exhibition routine, scoring a 9.8. The Hawkeyes edged MSU 48.775-48.550, despite the Spartans scoring best on floor of all four disciplines. Lagoski finished first overall and Hendershot finished tied for second.
Lagoski was MSU's only gymnast to compete All-Around, finishing third with a 38.000. Mollie Drenth (39.125) and Angel Metcalf (38.400) took first and second.
The Spartans are back in action next Saturday at league foe Minnesota, which will be held Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Minneapolis, Minn.
Players Mentioned
