Michigan State University
Minnesota
No. 5 Spartans Earn 197.475-196.800 Win Over Minnesota in Return to Jenison Field House
2/8/2025 10:57:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
EAST LANSING, Mich. - No. 5 Michigan State gymnastics celebrated Alumni Day and National Girls and Women in Sports Day with a 197.475-196.800 win over No. 16 Minnesota Saturday night at Jenison Field House.Â
With the victory, the Spartans improved to 6-2 overall this season and 3-1 in Big Ten action. The Gophers suffered their first loss of the season, falling to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the B1G. MSU's 197.475 was its second-highest team of the season and third score of 197.000 or better in 2025.Â
"It was great being back in Jenison again, in front of our own fans, after our two-week stint on the road," said MSU head coach Mike Rowe. "I was really proud of the team's efforts and showing as they're continuing to improve and are becoming more consistent with the details they've been working so hard at correcting. We're continuing to put a few new faces on the floor and we saw some great results from them as well. We know that we've still got more work to do in fine-tuning even more while maintaining what we're putting on the floor currently in preparation for our road trip next weekend to Nebraska."
For the second time this season, the Spartans captured at least a share of every event title. Junior Nikki Smith won the all-around title with a season-high 39.575 and also captured a share of the bars title alongside junior Sage Kellerman. Kellerman also shared the vault title with senior Gabrielle Stephen. Senior Skyla Schulte earned both the beam and floor titles. Â
MSU opened the meet with another strong vault rotation, scoring a 49.425 to take a 49.425-49.250 lead over the Gophers after one rotation. Kellerman and Stephen tied for the event title with matching 9.900 scores, with Kellerman securing her second vault title in as many meets. The 9.900 was a season high for Stephen. Freshman Amy Doyle stuck her vault for the second week in a row and added a 9.875 to finish third alongside Smith and junior Olivia Zsarmani. Sophomore MaKayla Tucker scored a 9.800 in the leadoff spot.Â
The Spartans remained in control at the halfway point after a 49.400 on bars. Smith and Kellerman tied for the event title 9.925s, each setting or tying a season best. Kellerman's bars title was her fourth of the season and fourth-straight title on the event, while Smith's was her third of the season. Doyle finished sixth with a career-high 9.875, fifth-year senior Delanie Harkness scored a 9.850 and Zsarmani earned a 9.825.Â
A 49.275 on beam gave MSU a 148.100-147.600 lead after three rotations. Schulte scored a season-high 9.925 to earn her first beam title of the season. Stephen tied her season best in the anchor spot with a 9.900, tying her season high. Smith was third with a score of 9.875, while fifth-year senior Giana Kalefe scored a 9.825 in the leadoff position.Â
MSU put the meet away on floor with a 49.375 in the final rotation. Schulte tied a season-high 9.925 to win a share of the title with Minnesota's Mya Hooten. The floor title was Schulte's third of the season. Smith finished third with a 9.900. Stephen scored a 9.875, Harkness earned a 9.850 and junior Elle Beaufait scored a 9.825.Â
 Stephen finished second in the all-around behind Smith, tying a season-high 39.450.Â
Up next, MSU faces Nebraska on the road on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET. The meet will stream on B1G+.Â
Players Mentioned
