The Spartans are undeniably one of the year’s hottest teams, averaging 197.200 in their last three meets. With a suburb trio of all-arounders—sophomores Skyla Schulte and Gabi Stephens and freshman Nikki Smith—at its core and a wealth of specialists rounding out lineups, this is a formidable squad capable of bringing in SEC-sized scores. Bars is going to be the canary in the coalmine for Michigan State: If they go 49.200 or higher, the 197 mark is well within reach.
This was expected to be something of a rebuilding year for a freshman-heavy Iowa program, but no one seems to have told the Hawkeyes that. Bars is iffy as ever, but they’ve looked remarkably strong on the other three events. Stars JerQuavia Henderson, Adeline Kenlin and Linda Zivat continue to shine, bolstered by a wealth of specialists. Michigan State has the advantage coming into this meet, but—score for score—Iowa’s scoring potential isn’t far off.
You can watch along at home on BTN+ and find live scores here.
Rotation One: Iowa vault, Michigan State bars
AFTER ONE ROTATION:
Rotation Two: Iowa bars, Michigan State vault
AFTER TWO ROTATIONS:
Rotation Three: Iowa beam, Michigan State floor
AFTER THREE ROTATIONS:
