EAST LANSING— The No. 7 Michigan State women’s gymnastics team is headed to the Big Four meet in Coralville, Iowa to wrap up conference competition after coming off a thrilling 197.475 to 196.275 victory against Rutgers
MSU holds an 8-2 record overall and is looking to secure a victory in the Big Four meet for its fourth season in a row, winning the last three in the Big Five.
Last week, MSU posted a season-high 49.575 on bars against Rutgers, with juniors Sage Kellerman and Nikki Smith each scoring 9.950, the highest scores on the season, and sharing the bar title. Kellerman took home the individual bar title, her fifth this season. Senior Skyla Schulte claimed her fifth-floor title this season while fifth-year Giana Kalefe secured her first beam title this season.
Senior Gabrielle Stephen took home the all-around title with a 39.500, also earning Big Ten Gymnast of the week. This is the third time she’s been awarded this honor.
Five gymnasts in the green and white are ranked in the NCAA top 25 individual rankings. An all-around duo, Smith (No. 13) and Stephen (No. 14) are also ranked in the top two in the conference rankings. Smith (No. 3), Kellerman (No. 10) and junior Olivia Zsarmani (No. 14) all ranked on vault, and Schulte (No. 16) on floor.
No. 25 Penn State, Iowa, and Washington will be competing against the Spartans for the first time this season.
Hawkeye junior Karina Muñoz ranks 23rd nationally on vault with a score of 9.865. Muñoz competed in the all-around six times last season, winning three titles, and was named to the all-Big Ten first team.
Nittany Lion sophomore Kalea McElligott scored a 9.825 on the floor to complete the upset over No. 22 Ohio State. In the last season, McElligott earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times. Her career bests were 9.900 or higher on the vault, beam and floor events.
Graduate Taylor Russon posted the highest score on bars in the previous meet for the Huskies with a 9.900. In the 2024 season, Russon would tie or set a new career best in her three events.
The meet will be aired on Big Ten Network on Sunday starting at 7 p.m.
