MSU Gymnastics Finishes 2nd at Big Ten Championships, Awaits NCAA Selection
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The UCLA Bruins secured the Big Ten Championship title in women’s gymnastics Saturday evening, scoring a 198.100 at the State Farm Center. Michigan State finished second with a 197.475, marking their fifth consecutive conference meet with a top-two finish. Minnesota placed third with 196.900 and Michigan finished fourth at 196.800.
The Spartans concluded the season with an overall record of 20-6. Head coach Mike Rowe praised the team’s performance, particularly given the challenges posed by season-ending injuries. “I’m so proud of this team tonight for walking into the arena on a mission to get it done,” Rowe said. “Everyone stepped up and did their job. Considering the season-ending injuries this year, individuals worked hard to fill those open line-up spots and get the job done. A few of them even earned podium finishes. It might not have been quite enough to catch UCLA, but we topped both Michigan and Minnesota.”
Senior Sage Kellerman was a standout performer for Michigan State, winning the individual title on bars. She also secured a victory on vault, becoming the first Spartan since Kim Hartwick (1986-87) and only the second in program history to win Big Ten individual titles in two different seasons, having previously won the vault title in 2023 as a freshman. Kellerman also finished third on vault.
Senior Nikki Smith earned runner-up honors in both the floor exercise and the all-around competition. She shared third place on beam with freshman Lilia Cosman and sophomore Cady Duplissis. All four Spartans – Kellerman, Smith, Cosman, and Duplissis – were named to the All-Championships team.
Michigan State began the first rotation on bars, tying their second-highest score of the season with a 49.400. Kellerman anchored the event with a career-high-tying 9.950 to claim the title. Junior Kendall Abney matched a career-high 9.900 in the fourth spot for the third consecutive week. Smith contributed a 9.875, while junior MaKayla Tucker scored a 9.850, Cosman a 9.825, and senior Naya Howard led off with a 9.775.
A season-best 49.375 on beam propelled the Spartans into second place after two rotations, trailing UCLA 98.100 to 98.775. Cosman, Smith, and Duplissis each earned a share of bronze with matching scores of 9.900. Abney led off with a 9.850, matched by Tucker in the fifth spot, and junior Isabella Trostel scored a 9.825 in the second position.
Michigan State maintained its second-place position behind UCLA, 148.550-148.225, following a 49.450 on floor. Smith led the Spartans with a 9.950, finishing as the event runner-up. Tucker achieved her eighth score of 9.900 or better on the event, while Duplissis tied her career high with a 9.900 in the third spot. Senior Stephanie Lebster and freshman Korynne Marquart posted 9.850s in the lead-off and second spots, respectively.
The Spartans closed the meet with a 49.250 on vault to secure their second-place finish. Kellerman anchored with a 9.925 to capture her second podium finish of the day. Tucker earned a 9.875, Smith scored a 9.850, and Marquart and Trostel, making her debut in the vault lineup, both scored 9.800s.
The 2026 NCAA Regionals selection show is scheduled for noon on Monday, March 23, on ESPNU. NCAA Regionals are scheduled for April 1-5 at Arizona State, Kentucky, LSU, and Oregon State.