Jan. 19, 2008

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East Lansing, Mich. - The Michigan State gymnastics team defeated Pittsburgh, 193.600-190.700 tonight at Jenison Field House in the Second Annual Jan Howard Flip For A Cure meet, benefiting the American Cancer Society. Sophomore Nicole Curler won the all-around for the second time this season, as the Spartans, who improve to 2-0, had at least a share of individual title in every event tonight.

Sophomore Rochelle Robinson repeated her performance in the season opener on the vault, posting a 9.850 to share the individual vault title with Pittsburgh's Dani Bryan. Curler placed third with a 9.800. As a team, MSU had a 48.700 and Pittsburgh posted a 48.150.

On the uneven bars, Robinson again had to share the individual title, this time with classmate Emily Lopatofsky. Both Spartans improved on their marks from last weekend with a 9.800. The score was a career-best for Lopatofsky, who won her first collegiate event in the process. Robinson and Lopatofsky topped a group of Spartans who occupied the top-five spots in the event. Junior Katlyn Roggensack and sophomore Megan Bergland, who competed for the first time this season, tied for third with a 9.775. Michigan State had 48.875 points on the bars, the highest of night's events, while the Panthers scored 47.925.

Freshman Kelsey Morley continued the impressive beginning to her MSU career, winning her first collegiate event with a 9.875 on the balance beam. Curler was second with a season-high 9.850 and Pittsburgh's Sarah Thompson took third (9.775). MSU totaled 47.600 and Pittsburgh had 47.475 on the bars.

Curler won the floor exercise for the second time this season and for the sixth time of her career. She scored a 9.775 and was followed closely by sophomore Kelly Moffitt and Pittsburgh's Molly Moyer, who tied for second with a 9.750. This marks the highest finish for Moffitt in her collegiate career and sets a new career mark in the event. The Spartans closed the night with a 48.425 on the floor, while the Panthers had 47.150.

Curler won the all-around for the second time this season and for the third time in her short MSU career, improving on her season-high with a 39.150. Roggensack, who was a all-around competitor for the first time in 2008, was second with 38.775.

The Spartan gymnasts travel for the first time on Saturday, Jan. 26, when they square-off with local rival Michigan. The Big Ten opener is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.