Michigan State's gymnastics team is headed to the NCAA Championships for the first time in 37 years after scoring a 198.000 on Saturday to finish second at the NCAA University Park Regional Final.
Top-seed LSU won the regional final with a 198.050. Kentucky (197.625) finish third and Arkansas (197.375) fourth.
MSU’s second-place finish is its best regional final finish under the current format, which was introduced in 2019. The Spartans' only other NCAA Championships appearance came in 1988.
The top two teams from each of the four regionals advanced to the NCAA Championships, with the semifinals on April 17 in Fort Worth, Texas. The top two teams from each semifinal advance to a four-team final on April 19, also in Fort Worth.
MSU has narrowly missed reaching this point the last couple of seasons.
The first rotation proved to be tight with just half a tenth separating first-place LSU (49.450, bars) and third-place Arkansas (49.400, beam). MSU sat in second place Saturday after the opening rotation after, posting a 49.425 on floor. Senior Skyla Schulte led the Spartans in the anchor spot with a 9.950 and senior Gabi Stephen added a second 9.900 score for MSU in the fifth spot. Sophomore MaKayla Tucker scored a 9.875 and fifth-year senior Delanie Harkness and Nikki Smith each posted a 9.850.
MSU broke its vault record for the second time this season with a 49.650 in the second rotation to maintain its second-place standing behind LSU, 99.125-99.075. The Spartans counted five scores of 9.900 or better and stuck three vaults, led by junior Sage Kellerman in the anchor spot and Smith in the fourth spot with a 9.950. In the leadoff position, Tucker tied a career-high 9.925 and was matched by junior Olivia Zsarmani in the third spot. Stephen scored a 9.900 and freshman Amy Doyle posted a 9.850.
A 49.575 on bars helped MSU increase its second-place lead over Kentucky to just under half of a point and put the Spartans just 0.05 behind the first place Tigers. Smith led MSU with a near-perfect, career-high-tying 9.975 in the fourth spot. Stephen posted her second 9.950 in as many meets on the event, while Kellerman scored a 9.925 in the anchor spot and Zsarmani scored a career-high-tying 9.900. In the leadoff position, Doyle scored a 9.825 and was matched by Harkness in the fifth spot.
The Spartans secured their second-place finish with 49.350 on beam in the final rotation. Schulte and freshman Cady Duplissis opened with 9.900s. Sophomore Emma Misenheimer scored a 9.775 and was followed by another 9.900 for the Spartans from Harkness, who tied a career high. Smith scored a 9.850.
MSU Athletic Communications contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU gymnastics reaches NCAA Championships for first time in 37 years
