Michigan State Gymnastics Set to Host Maryland, Western Michigan in Sunday Tri-Meet
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State gymnastics is gearing up for a big Sunday inside Jenison Field House. The No. 11-ranked Spartans will host No.
24 Maryland and Western Michigan in a tri-meet on Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. ET, in a competition that will also honor National Girls and Women in Sports Day - a fitting backdrop for a program that’s been making serious noise this season.
The meet will be streamed live on B1G+, and fans can expect a high-energy afternoon as MSU looks to build on its momentum.
Spartans Riding High After Statement Win at Penn State
Michigan State held steady at No. 11 in the latest RoadToNationals rankings, carrying a 196.690 average into the weekend. That ranking comes on the heels of a strong road performance, where the Spartans edged then-No.
14 Penn State, 197.125-196.725, on Feb. 8.
Not only did that meet mark MSU’s second straight score over the 197.000 mark - it also handed the Nittany Lions their first Big Ten loss of the season.
That win evened Michigan State’s conference record at 2-2, pulling them into a five-way tie for fourth in the Big Ten standings. UCLA currently leads the pack at 4-0, with Penn State and Ohio State tied for second at 3-1.
The Spartans’ 197.125 score at Penn State was their second-highest of the season - a clear sign that this team is finding its stride as the calendar turns toward championship season.
Event Rankings Show Depth Across the Board
Michigan State continues to show national-level balance across all four events. The Spartans rank:
- No. 9 on beam (49.240 average)
- No. 10 on vault (49.195)
- No. 13 on floor (49.225)
- No. 23 on bars (49.000)
Individually, senior Nikki Smith has been electric on floor, where her 9.920 average has her tied for sixth nationally. Fellow senior Sage Kellerman continues to shine on bars, tied for 12th in the country with a 9.895 average.
At Penn State, Smith was the standout performer, capturing a share of the vault title with a season-best 9.875 alongside junior MaKayla Tucker, and winning the floor outright with her second consecutive 9.950. She also claimed her first all-around title of the season with a 39.550 - her highest score of 2026 so far.
Kellerman, meanwhile, kept her consistency rolling, grabbing a share of the bars title for the second straight week with a 9.900.
Scouting the Competition: Maryland
Maryland enters the weekend ranked No. 24 with a team average of 195.775. The Terrapins are 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Big Ten action, but are coming off a tough 196.175-195.600 home loss to Rutgers on Feb. 7.
Vault has been Maryland’s strongest event this season - they’re ranked No. 17 nationally with a 49.045 average.
Michigan State has had the upper hand in recent matchups with the Terps. The last regular season meeting came in 2024, when the Spartans cruised to a 197.550-195.525 win at home. In fact, MSU hasn’t lost to Maryland since the 2019 Big Five Meet.
Scouting the Competition: Western Michigan
Western Michigan comes in with a 194.625 season average, which ranks 45th nationally. The Broncos are 8-4 overall and 2-1 in MAC competition, fresh off a season-high 195.575 in a tri-meet win over Northern Illinois and West Virginia on Feb. 6.
Originally scheduled to face Iowa State this weekend, Western Michigan was added to Sunday’s meet after Iowa State’s season was canceled - giving the Broncos a chance to test themselves against top-tier competition.
The Spartans last saw Western Michigan in the 2025 season opener, where they posted a 196.850-194.675 win at Jenison Field House. MSU hasn’t dropped a meet to the Broncos since a 2020 dual in Kalamazoo.
What’s at Stake
For Michigan State, Sunday is about more than just rankings - it’s about continuing to build momentum and consistency as the postseason approaches. With multiple gymnasts performing at an elite level and the team scoring over 197.000 in back-to-back weeks, the Spartans are positioning themselves as a real contender in the Big Ten and beyond.
Sunday’s tri-meet offers another opportunity to fine-tune routines, test depth, and keep the pressure on the teams above them. And with Jenison Field House set to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, it’s a chance for MSU to put its program - and its progress - on full display.
This team is trending in the right direction. Now it's about keeping that energy rolling.