MSU Gymnastics Dominates Tri-Meet with Season-High Scores

Spartans beat Maryland and Western Michigan with impressive performances across all events

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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No. 11 Michigan State gymnastics team earned a 197.250, their second-highest score of the season, to defeat No. 24 Maryland and Western Michigan in a tri-meet at Jenison Fieldhouse. The Spartans delivered exceptional performances, setting season highs on floor, bars, and vault to secure the victory and improve their record to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten.

Why it matters

This win was crucial for the Spartans to stay competitive in the Big Ten, as they entered the meet in a five-way tie for fourth place in the conference standings. The team's ability to rise to the occasion and post such high scores across multiple events demonstrates their depth and potential to make a strong push in the second half of the season.

The details

MSU blew away the competition with a season-high floor score of 49.575 and strong performances on vault and bars. Junior MaKayla Tucker and senior Nikki Smith shared the All-Around title with scores of 39.500, while senior Sage Kellerman earned the bars title and shared the vault title with Smith. Tucker also shared the beam title, and three Spartans - Smith, Tucker, and freshman Korynne Marquart - tied for the floor title with Maryland's Aine Reade.

  • The tri-meet took place on February 16, 2026 at Jenison Fieldhouse.
  • MSU's next competition is on February 21, 2026 against No. 19 Ohio State, also at home in Jenison Fieldhouse.

The players

MaKayla Tucker

A junior on the Michigan State gymnastics team who shared the All-Around title and the beam title in the tri-meet.

Nikki Smith

A senior on the Michigan State gymnastics team who shared the All-Around title, the vault title, and tied for the floor title in the tri-meet.

Sage Kellerman

A senior on the Michigan State gymnastics team who earned the bars title and shared the vault title in the tri-meet.

Korynne Marquart

A freshman on the Michigan State gymnastics team who tied for the floor title in the tri-meet.

Mike Rowe

The head coach of the Michigan State gymnastics team.

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What they’re saying

“It was a dog fight for a couple of them to get in. They're all supporting each other, they're all having each other's backs — but they're still fighting for that spot. The passion is there.”

— Mike Rowe, Head Coach, Michigan State Gymnastics (statenews.com)

“To say that you have depth and know what their potential is one thing, but to see it here, and you see them actually develop it and everybody experiences it — it's really exciting.”

— Mike Rowe, Head Coach, Michigan State Gymnastics (statenews.com)

What’s next

MSU gymnastics will face No. 19 Ohio State next Saturday, Feb. 21, at home in Jenison Fieldhouse.

The takeaway

Michigan State's gymnastics team demonstrated their depth and potential with a dominant performance in the tri-meet, setting multiple season highs and securing a crucial victory to stay competitive in the Big Ten standings. The Spartans' ability to rise to the occasion and deliver such an impressive all-around showing bodes well for their chances of making a strong push in the second half of the season.