Michigan State Gymnastics Hits Historic High with No. 6 Preseason Ranking, Smith and Zsarmani Named Gymnasts to Watch
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State gymnastics is entering the 2026 season with momentum, expectations, and a serious target on its back. The Spartans secured the No. 6 spot in the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Preseason Coaches’ Poll - the highest preseason ranking in program history - and landed at No. 2 in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches’ Poll. That’s not just a number next to their name - it’s a reflection of how far this program has come and how much belief there is in what’s being built in East Lansing.
Let’s not forget: Michigan State ended last season ranked No. 6 nationally after a breakthrough run to the NCAA Semifinals - their first trip to the national championships since 1988 and only the second in program history. That wasn’t just a feel-good moment - it was a statement. And now, the coaches around the country are taking notice.
This marks the fourth straight year MSU has been picked in the top two of the Big Ten’s preseason poll. UCLA, now a Big Ten member, was picked to finish first, with Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio State rounding out the top five. That’s a loaded conference slate, but Michigan State isn’t just trying to hang - they’re aiming to lead.
Nikki Smith: A Record-Setter with More to Prove
Senior Nikki Smith is back for her final season, and she’s not sneaking up on anyone. The reigning Big Ten Gymnast of the Year is already one of the most decorated athletes in Spartan gymnastics history - and she’s still adding to her legacy.
Smith holds the program’s all-around record with a 39.775 and owns a pair of perfect 10.000s on vault. She also delivered the only perfect 10.000 on floor in MSU history.
That’s not just talent - that’s game-changing ability. She’s a three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and a two-time WCGA Regular Season All-American on vault.
Simply put, when Smith steps onto the floor, she’s must-watch.
Olivia Zsarmani: Quietly Climbing Into Elite Company
While Smith has been the headliner, Olivia Zsarmani has built her own résumé that’s just as impressive. The senior was a Second Team All-Big Ten pick last season and earned NCAA Second Team All-America honors on both vault and bars at the national championships. She also picked up WCGA Regular Season All-America honors on vault.
Zsarmani didn’t just contribute - she excelled. She won the Big Ten vault title and hit career highs across all four events and in the all-around. Her consistency and upward trajectory make her one of the most reliable gymnasts in the conference - and a key piece for MSU’s postseason ambitions.
The Road Ahead: A National Stage Right Out of the Gate
Michigan State won’t have to wait long to test itself against elite competition. The Spartans open their season on Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad in West Valley City, Utah.
The meet features a stacked field with California, Kentucky, and conference rival Michigan - and it’ll be broadcast live on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. ET.
This is the kind of early-season test that tells you exactly where you stand - and for Michigan State, it’s a chance to show the gymnastics world that last year was no fluke.
National Landscape: MSU in the Mix with the Best
The WCGA Preseason Coaches’ Poll sets the tone for the national conversation, and Michigan State is firmly in the thick of it. Oklahoma, LSU, Florida, UCLA, and Utah round out the top five - all perennial powerhouses - with MSU right behind at No.
- That puts the Spartans ahead of big-name programs like Missouri, Alabama, and Kentucky.
It’s a loaded field, but Michigan State has shown they belong. The climb to the top is steep, but they’ve already proven they can handle the altitude.
Big Ten Breakdown: A Conference on the Rise
With UCLA joining the Big Ten, the conference just got even deeper. The preseason coaches’ poll reflects that, with UCLA at No. 1, MSU at No. 2, and Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio State rounding out a top five that could go toe-to-toe with any in the nation.
And with standout talent spread across the league - from Jordan Chiles (UCLA) to Ava Jordan (Michigan) to Gianna Gerdes (Minnesota) - the battle for the Big Ten crown is going to be fierce.
But Michigan State isn’t just in the conversation - they’re helping shape it.
Final Word: A Program on the Verge
Michigan State gymnastics has turned potential into performance, and now they’re entering 2026 with something they’ve never had before: expectations at the national level.
With a veteran core led by Smith and Zsarmani, a top-six national ranking, and a schedule that will test them from the jump, the Spartans aren’t just looking to make noise - they’re looking to make history.
And if the past year was any indication, they’re more than ready.