The NCAA gymnastics started with a competitive note for the 11-numbered team, Michigan State Gymnastics. As the schedule panned out for them, they will have to face behemoths in the second of four seasons. But for that, the Spartans took utmost note of the coming challenges, returning every routine from last season. The list holds big names and chances of those heights.
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On Friday, in their first attempt, the Spartans started with Skyla Schulte, Baleigh Garcia, and ever-flying Sage Kellerman in the NCAA gymnastics. Just it took a few minutes for Sage Kellerman to announce her return on the mat and bars and to further her last year’s performance.
All-around sophomore bags back-to-back glory
The 50th season in the NCAA gymnastics ended on a jammy note for Michigan State University as their final score evaporated the ninth-placed Kentucky. The Super 16 contention titled the Spartans with a third position where Sage Kellerman shared the most limelight. In the season opener, the sophomore gymnast earned a perfect 10 on the vault. MSU gymnastics’ raconteur X handle celebrated with a post that read, “10.000!!!! The first perfect 10 of the NCAA season on vault goes to Sage Kellerman!” Even on the prized occasion, the USA Gymnastics also took a back seat to witness the glory as it was the first perfect 10 on the vault. However, in the Spartans’ long cherished NCAA gymnastics book, that was the fifth perfect score.
10.000!!!! 🤩🤩
The first perfect 10 of the NCAA season on vault goes to Sage Kellerman! That's the fifth perfect score in MSU history.#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/LbRhfESu8h
— MSU Gymnastics (@MSU_Gymnastics) January 6, 2024
Nevertheless, the 5’2” artistic gymnast seemed to replicate her success from the previous season. In 2023, Sage Kellerman claimed the Big Ten vault championship title with a 9.900 vault on her debut for the program. Even on the bars, her attempt was 9.825 in the Big Ten championship. With that, Kellerman repeated her 9+ vaults almost against all the programs in the NCAA gymnastics last year. But this time, she paired well with her team members.
Delanie and others pick up the baton for pairing
On the auspicious night of December 5, the MSU saw all its young artistic gymnasts dangle in glorious colors in performance. When Kellerman hit the ground with a perfect 10, the senior all-around, Delanie Harkness didn’t shy. Her score stood at 9.950 on the bars. She ended just slightly above Kellerman’s all-rounder performance as the latter sketched 9.750 in bars.
Read more: With NCAA Gymnastics Season Around the Corner, LSU Gymnasts Ramp Up With Stellar Event
That brought out another sophomore, Nikki Smith’s best performance of the night. She joined the league with a 9.925 score, whereas Gabi Stephen pulled out a 9.875. The NCAA gymnastics evening ended in something the MSU wanted wholeheartedly. Now they will head to Utah to face BYU on January 13.
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