Both fanbases knew No. 20 Michigan gymnastics team against No. 6 Michigan State at the Breslin Center was going to be a special event — unlike any other gymnastics meet they had attended. Anticipation hung over the arena while the gymnasts warmed up. Both teams took to the mats, the crowd buzzed with excitement.
Friday was a historic night for women’s gymnastics as the Wolverines took on the Spartans in the inaugural gymnastics meet at the Breslin Center. Though the Wolverines were settling into their skills and routines, it wasn’t enough, as Michigan (3-2 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) fell to Michigan State (4-1, 1-0), 196.975 to 197.500.
The first rotation set the Wolverines starting on the uneven bars and the Spartans at the vault. Michigan State’s MaKayla Tucker started strong, scoring a personal season-high 9.900 on her vault routine.
Compared to the floor and beam events, typically strong events for the Wolverines, Michigan has struggled with the uneven bars and vault, needing to shake off some of the nerves felt in previous meets. But the Wolverines settled into their skills, putting better scores on the board than they have so far this season.
Michigan freshman Sophia Diaz and graduate Carly Bauman both received 9.900 on their bar routines adding to the Wolverines’ total event score of 49.275.
“The first two meets were a little rough,” Michigan coach Bev Plocki said. “We had a lot of nervousness and just kind of holding back and just not performing up to the level we’re capable of. And when we were coming into this meet, I just told them that I wanted them to focus on us and us only. I didn’t want them to pay attention to Michigan State.”
As the second rotation began, the Spartans led by a small margin of 0.075, with the Wolverines performing on the vault and Michigan State at the bars.
Spartan Sage Kellerman had a clean routine, scoring the highest for Michigan State on the bars with a 9.900. Although Michigan had promising vault routines, none of them produced as fruitful results as the Wolverines hoped. Diaz held the anchor position and showed a strong vault routine, but her uncontrolled strength resulted in too much momentum. Diaz took a small hop on her landing and the judges reflected that in her 9.800 score.
The third rotation placed Michigan on the floor. With the Wolverines’ most graceful routine of the night, Bauman showcased her veteran status. Throughout her choreography, the co-captain was fluid in her motion, maintaining long lines and pointed toes. Her dedication to the small details awarded Bauman with a 9.900.
Across the floor, the Spartans were sticking their landings and showcasing versatility on the beams. Michigan State gymnasts recovered and adjusted after minor mistakes, highlighting the adaptability of the highly-ranked Spartans.
With the meet was winding down and scores being traded back and forth, Michigan took advantage of this opportunity to present its growth.
On the beam, the Wolverines prefer to display difficult dismounts — and this meet did not stray from that trend. Freshman Jahzara Ranger performed her beam routine with good height, ending it with an impressive double tuck dismount.
“(Ranger) is going to be a rockstar and she already is a rockstar,” Plocki said. “She just has the it factor. She’s powerful, her skills are big and, when she does well, she has the swag.”
Ranger certainly brought the swag to her final event of the night, receiving a 9.900 on her beam routine.
“I go into each event doing what I need to do on that event in particular and then leaving it behind me so I can go on to the next,” Ranger said. “I really rely on my teammates, because a lot of us are in each line up, so I just feed off of their energy.”
Another solid and skillful routine was performed by Bauman in the anchor spot. Consisting of a backhand spring, straddle jumps and a Gainer pike dismount, Bauman moved gracefully through the event.
And still, the Spartans commanded throughout their floor routines, moving with poise and precision. At the conclusion of Michigan State’s last floor routine, the final score was cemented as 197.500 to 196.975 — the Spartans had bested their in-state rivals.
“I’m happy for the Big Ten,” Plocki said. “Michigan State … they came out of the ashes, and they’re doing a great job. They have a very talented team. Much respect for them.”
In an arena with over 5,000 spectators, the future of women’s gymnastics was on full display. But for the Wolverines, to be more successful in the future means harnessing the potential they showed on Friday and settling into their skills even more.
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