University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers get Ready for the Spartans on Saturday
1/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
The Gophers return home to the Sports Pavilion to host the Michigan State Spartans in a competition starting at 7 p.m., one hour later than the normal start time. It will be Minnesota’s first competition against a Big Ten opponent this season.
Minnesota on the Big Ten Network
Minnesota will appear on the Big Ten Network three times this season. The home meet against Michigan State on Jan. 23 and the meet at Penn State on Jan. 30 will be telecast on a tape-delay basis. The Big Ten Championship will once again be televised live.
National Rankings
Minnesota fell out of the top 25 in the GymInfo National Rankings this week, and is listed at No. 26. Minnesota is listed in the top 25 on uneven bars, currently at No. 24 with an average bars score of 48.437. At this point in the season, national rankings are based on average score.
Improvement on Bars
After earning counting two falls in the team score of 48.025 in the first meet of the season, Minnesota showed vast improvement with its 48.85 a week later. At Nebraska last weekend, Minnsota recorded no falls on bars and upped the team score by a whopping .825.
All Around Success
Minnesota’s top returning all around competitor, Alexis Russell, was the all around champion in the season opener against Denver. Russell earned a 39.075 in the first meet of the season, and was also the winner on bars with a 9.875.
Russell was also Minnnesota’s top all around performer at Nebraska last weekend, and tallied the team’s top score on three of four events. She is the only Gopher listed in the top 25 in the national rankings, where she is tied for No. 12 on uneven bars with an average of 9.85.
Last Meet Recap: at Nebraska
The Golden Gopher women's gymnastics team earned a 192.775 in a tri meet at Nebraska on Jan. 15. The host Huskers won the meet with a 195.20, while Illinois finished second with a 193.375.
On vault, senior Alexis Russell was Minnesota’s top scorer, earning a 9.85 to tie for third place overall on vault. Russell’s score is the best for the Gophers on vault this season. Freshman Jasmine Brown scored a 9.80, her best vault score so far. Lucy Ennis, a sophomore, tied her personal best vault score with a 9.775. As a team, the Gophers tallied a 48.55.
On bars, the Gophers significantly improved on their team score from last week as four of six competitors improved their score from a week ago. As a team, Minnesota compiled a 48.85 at Nebraska. Once again, Alexis Russell was the team’s top performer, earning a 9.825. Russell finished in a tie for second place on the unevens. Lucy Ennis was the second-best scorer for Minnesota with a 9.80. Yuri Nagai rounded out the top three for the Gophers, earning a 9.775.
Balance beam was the Achilles heel for Minnesota as the Gophers had to count several falls in the team score of 47.10. The top two beam performers from the last competition were again the top scorers at Nebraska. Juniors Kristin Furukawa (9.75) and Ana Balboa (9.60) had the top scores for Minnesota.
On floor exercise, the Gophers tallied a 48.275, led once again by senior Alexis Russell. Russell tied for fifth place with a 9.75. Freshman Janell Campbell was the second-highest scorer for Minnesota, earning a 9.675. Junior Kendra Elm rounded out the top three for the Gophers with a 9.65.
About Michigan State
The Spartans have earned scores of 193.925 and 194.425 in their first two meets this season. MSU is currently ranked No. 19 in the national rankings.
MSU freshman Shanthi Teike has been named Big Ten Freshman Gymnast of the Week after placing third in the all-around last weekend with a score of 38.800 against Iowa and UIC. Teike led the Spartans on the floor, posting a mark of 9.800, finishing second overall. She also finished third overall on the vault with a score of 9.800.
Head Coach Kathie Klages is in her 20th season at the helm of the Michigan State gymnastics program. Klages is assisted by Randy Lane and Katie Teft.
Big Ten Preseason Poll
Minnesota was picked to finish sixth in the Big Ten Coaches’ Preseason Poll. Gymnasts Alexis Russell and Kristin Furukawa were named “Athletes to Watch”.
Team Captain
Junior Kristin Furukawa has been elected team captain for the 2010 season.
Coaching the Gophers
Head coach Meg Stephenson is entering her 18th season as a coach with the Golden Gopher program and her 13th as a head coach. Stephenson was a co-head coach with husband Jim from 1998-2009 before taking the helm of the Minnesota program on her own this season.
Stephenson is assisted by Jenny Alf Hansen and Louie Johnson. Both Hansen and Johnson are Minnesota alums.
Coming Up Next Week: Road Trip to Penn State
The Gophers hit the road to take on Penn State and Alabama in State College, Pa.
Players Mentioned
