Feb. 3, 2007

Final Stats

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The No. 21 Michigan State gymnastics team posted a season-high team score of 196.350 to claim its first State of Michigan Classic since the 2003 season, Saturday night at Jenison Field House. No. 9 Michigan took second with a score of 195.775, followed by Central Michigan in third (193.475), Eastern Michigan in fourth (193.125) and Western Michigan (191.975), who finished fifth overall. Spartan tumbler Kristen Coleman claimed her second consecutive all-around crown with a mark of 39.450, while MSU's Nicole Curler finished second with a score of 39.350.

"I am absolutely thrilled with the outcome tonight," Spartan head coach Kathie Klages said. "Our team focused very hard this week on getting the job done, and training how we want to compete. We came out and showed that focus tonight, and I am so proud of the effort."

Michigan State took top honors on each event, beginning with freshman Rochelle Robinson who posted a 9.925 on vault, followed by a 9.825 to tie with Coleman and Michigan's Tatjana Thuener-Rego for first place on the uneven bars. Coleman and Curler matched 9.900 efforts on the balance beam to share the podium, while Robinson posted a season-best mark of 9.925 for first-place honors on the floor exercise.

With five teams competing in the event, MSU began the first rotation on a bye, before competition on the vault (48.900) during the second rotation. Following Robinson, the University of Michigan's Nellie Kippley and Katie Lieberman each posted a 9.850 for second, followed by MSU's Coleman and Curler who each posted a 9.825 on the apparatus. Katlyn Roggensack (9.675) and Victoria Iakounina (9.650) also competed for the Spartans on the event.

MSU posted a season-high team score of 49.150 on the balance beam, behind Coleman who tied a career high with a 9.900 on the event. Also competing for the Green and White on the beam was Bergland with a season-best mark of 9.850, followed by Iakounina (9.775), Roggensack (9.725) and Robinson (9.275).

Plagued by injuries on the floor routine (49.375) since the beginning of the season, MSU needed a strong team score during the final rotation to claim the meet title. State rallied, winning the top four spots on floor, propelled by Robinson who continued to excel on the event, posting a season- and meet-best mark of 9.925. Coleman and Curler followed with 9.900's, while Roggensack and junior Megan McNally each added a 9.825 to tie for fourth.

Michigan State continues the 2007 regular season on the road, traveling to New Hampshire on Feb. 10 for a tri meet with UNH, Brown and West Virginia. The meet is slated for a 7 p.m. start time in Durham, N. H., at the Whittemore Center. Visit msuspartans.com for complete meet results.