Get Ready for Michigan State Gymnastics Historic NCAA Championship Return!
Fort Worth, Texas – It’s been a staggering 37 years since the Michigan State gymnastics team graced the NCAA Championships stage, and now they’re back and more electrifying than ever! On Thursday, April 17, the eighth-seeded Spartans will go head-to-head against powerhouse programs: No. 1 seed LSU, No. 4 Utah, and No. 5 UCLA. The excitement unfolds during the second semifinal at 9 p.m. ET inside the impressive Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Tune In!
Don’t miss a moment of this thrilling competition! The NCAA semifinal action will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2, with an exclusive MSU-only stream available on ESPN+. Fans can expect lively commentary from gymnastics icons John Roethlisberger (play-by-play), Aly Raisman, and Samantha Peszek (analysts), ensuring you won’t lose any of the jaw-dropping routines and scores.
Noteworthy Season Highlights
This season has been nothing short of spectacular for Michigan State gymnastics. The Spartans earned their coveted spot at the national championships with a second-place finish at the NCAA University Park Regional Final, achieving a remarkable score of 198.000—just shy of LSU’s impressive 198.050. With this score, MSU claimed the third-best mark among the regional finals, trailing only behind Oklahoma’s extraordinary 198.450 seen at the Seattle Regional.
Record-Breaking Performances
In a season marked by breakthroughs, the Spartans once again shattered their team vault record, scoring an incredible 49.650 in the regional final. This achievement showcased the depth of talent on the team, with all five counting scores surpassing 9.900, highlighted by two stunning performances from juniors Nikki Smith and Sage Kellerman, each nailing 9.950.
The Spartans also demonstrated versatility and consistency, recording a 49.575 on bars, tying their second-highest team score in that event this season.
Individual Accolades
Star performer Gabrielle Stephen, a senior sensation, stole the show by winning the all-around, vault, and co-bars titles at the University Park Regional. Gabriel achieved a perfect 10.000 on vault, making it her first in a series of perfect scores, the second of which she scored just weeks prior on beam at the Big Ten Championships. Her all-around performance earned her a career-high 39.750, marking it as the second-highest all-around score in Michigan State gymnastics history. In the same competition, Smith excelled with top scores on vault (9.950), bars (9.975), and an all-around score of 39.650.
Gabrielle’s remarkable achievements earned her the title of WCGA Central Region Gymnast of the Year, a historic first for MSU gymnastics. Additionally, Head Coach Mike Rowe received the regional head coach of the year award, while his assistant coaches Nicole Jones and Devin Wright were recognized as regional assistant coaches of the year.
A Peek at the Competition
In the face of giants, the Spartans have previously encountered two teams in their semifinal lineup, UCLA and LSU. MSU’s only knowledge of LSU stems from their recent regional final meeting, but the Spartans have faced the Bruins twice this season, suffering tight losses of 197.300-197.200 and 198.450-198.150 at the Big Ten Championships.
MSU has faced all the teams qualifying for the NCAA Championships this season, including matchups against Alabama and Florida, both of which showed the Spartans’ tenacity and resilience. Their prior encounters serve as valuable experience entering this pivotal competition.
Looking Ahead: The Championship Road
The stakes are high! Only the top two teams from MSU’s semifinal will advance to the NCAA Championships Final, Four on the Floor, set for Saturday, April 19, at 4 p.m. ET on ABC. They will compete against the leading teams from the first semifinal: No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 3 Florida, No. 7 Missouri, and Alabama. After the second semifinal, winners of individual events and NCAA All-Americans will be announced.
Get ready to rally behind the Spartans as they make their triumphant return to the national gymnastics arena. This team is on the verge of making history, and your support is crucial! Let’s cheer them on into the spotlight!
