Michigan State Gymnastics has historic night with win over Michigan

Michigan State Gymnastics had a huge night with a win over Michigan in Ann Arbor. It was a historic performance.

The top two teams in the Big Ten, Michigan and Michigan State Gymnastics, faced off in Ann Arbor in a massive early season meet. In front of over 11,000 fans, the Spartans shocked the Wolverines, but not in the way you’d think.

Michigan Gymnastics is the powerhouse program in the Big Ten. Typically if MSU beats them, it’s a massive upset. That, however, wasn’t the case this time. Both the Spartans and Wolverines were ranked No. 13 in the country (no that isn’t a typo) so this was no upset.

The shocking part was how bad Michigan State beat the Wolverines. The Spartans won by a final score of 198.050 to 197.625. I’m not a gymnastics expert, but I’ve been told that’s a massive margin.

But this wasn’t the only great thing to come from Sunday afternoon’s win. This was arguably one of the greatest nights in Michigan State Gymnastics history.

Historic night in Ann Arbor

First win in Ann Arbor since when?

The first thing that makes this win so special is how long it’s been since the Spartans have won in Ann Arbor. Before Sunday, it had been since 1990, or 34 years, since Michigan State last won at Michigan.

Now that’s a cause for celebration on its own, but the night got even better still.

Highest road score in program history

A 198.050 is the highest score in program history in a road meet. It also is the second-highest score in program history overall. Last season, the Spartans recorded a 198.225 in a home meet as the season came to an end.

Can the Spartans beat that score later this season?

Perfect 10.0 score

Sage Kellerman had the performance of the night as she scored her second perfect score of the season on vault. Perfect 10s are rare in gymnastics, so for her to get her second of the year in the biggest meet of the season is wildly impressive.

AND JUST LIKE THAT. 🤩

Sage Kellerman gets her second perfect 10 on vault this season for @MSU_Gymnastics. pic.twitter.com/hvbjZWz98a

— Big Ten Gymnastics (@B1GGymnastics) February 4, 2024

Commanding lead in the Big Ten

Michigan State now has full control in the race for the Big Ten regular-season championship. The Spartans are one of two undefeated teams in conference play along with Minnesota. However, the Gophers do not have a score even close to MSU’s record score this season, so the conference is Michigan State’s to lose at this point.

Michigan State Gymnastics is the reigning Big Ten regular season champion and it’s looking to do the same again this season. Last season was the first time in program history they won the Big Ten, and now they have every chance to do it two years in a row.

MSU gymnastics head coach Mike Rowe discusses MSU's victory over UM in Ann Arbor today. In the middle, he pauses to hear the 198.050 score announced. At the end, he mentions the goal of going undefeated in Big Ten play & the fact that he wants fans to come out & support the team. pic.twitter.com/3zBHjX6K0h

— Spartans Illustrated (@SpartansRivals) February 5, 2024

What a win for the Spartans.