No. 23 Spartan Gymnastics Tops Maryland, 195.925-192.925 :: MSU sets season-high on its overall score, along with new standards on the vault, beam and floor.

Feb. 9, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The No. 23 Michigan State gymnastics team continued its score progression this afternoon at Jenison Field House against Maryland as the Spartans set a season-high for the fifth-straight weekend, topping the Terrapins, 195.925-192.925. MSU, who improves to 6-2 on the season, hit 24 of 24 routines, also setting season-bests on the vault, beam and floor.

Like their overall score, the Spartans have improved upon their season score on the vault in every meet, totaling 49.275 this afternoon. MSU captured the top-six scores on the event, led by a career-high and team season-high 9.925 by senior Rhiannon Banda-Scott. The individual event title was the second of her career. Three Spartans - sophomores Nicole Curler and Rochelle Robinson, and freshman Kelsey Morley - tied for second with a 9.850. The score was a season-high for Curler and Morley, and marked the first top-three finish on the vault for Morley. Freshman Nicole Argiros and sophomore Emily Lopatofsky also put together impressive vaults, setting career-highs of 9.800 and 9.750, respectively.

Michigan State also controlled the top scores on the bars, occupying the top five spots, en route to a 48.700 team tally. Lopatofsky won her second bars title of the season with a 9.775. Sophomore Megan Bergland was second with a 9.750, followed by senior Bethany Little, junior Katlyn Roggensack and Argiros in a tie for third at 9.725. The meet marked the season debut for Little, who had been battling an injury in the early season.

The Spartans put together a strong showing on the beam, an event that has given them trouble so far this season, with a 49.125 team total. Curler won the individual title for the second time this season and the sixth time in her career with a season-high 9.900. Morley was runner-up on the beam for the second time this season with a 9.850. Roggensack and Robinson, each posting season marks, tied for Maryland's Brandi George for third with 9.800.

Closing out the meet on a high note, MSU totaled 48.825 on the floor. Roggensack shared the individual crown, her first career title on the floor and only second in any event, with Maryland's Brandi George, both posting scores of 9.825. Lopatofsky, sophomore Kelly Moffitt, Morley and freshman Kathryn Mahoney all set season-highs on the floor this afternoon. Lopatofsky was third with a 9.800, while Moffitt tied for fourth with a 9.775, Morley was sixth with a 9.750 and Mahoney was seventh with a 9.675.

Maryland's Brandi George won the all-around with a 38.975, edging teammate Abigail Adams, who scored 38.325. The Spartans did not have anyone compete in the all-around.

MSU begins a three-meet road trip on Saturday, Feb. 16 at Illinois. The Spartans and Illini are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET.