Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Week 4 Preview: Spartans surge, eight teams in top 25
Week 4 of Big Ten women’s gymnastics looks to be a thriller. With eight teams in the NCAA top 25, fans can expect the competition to level up and the plot to thicken.
With three weeks of competition in the books, Big Ten fans have already witnessed perfection, scoring drama, and thrilling rivalry dual meets. This pattern is likely to continue in Week 4, possibly in the form of conference upsets.
If one thing’s for sure, it’s that more ranked programs often means more tight meets…and ultimately more excitement for fans.
Read below to see what’s in store in Week 4.
#10 Michigan @ #22 Nebraska
Matchup Details: Saturday, January 27 @ 4 p.m. ET | Michigan @ Nebraska – Live Stats | Video (Big+)
#10 Michigan | Previous: #14
Michigan returns to the NCAA top 10 as they head to Lincoln to face the Huskers. The Wolverines are fresh off a strong 197.400 showing in which beam was a surprising bright spot.
Michigan will need to improve its execution on vault to continue climbing the rankings. Heading into Week 4, vault is the lowest-ranked event for the squad (16th in the nation), with landing inconsistencies plaguing much of the lineup.
Fans should look for Carly Bauman to continue her strong showing this season. The junior wrapped up Week 3 with a meet-winning 9.95 on bars.
Although they have reclaimed the conference for now, Michigan will need to stay calm and collected to leave Lincoln with a win over a feisty No. 22 Nebraska team.
Routines to watch:
- Carly Bauman on bars: The junior has been consistent and consistently stunning on bars this season. Bauman floats between the bars via her lovely straddled Jaeger to overshoot and regularly sticks her massive double front dismount.
- Gabby Wilson on vault: The super senior finally found her footing on her Yurchenko 1.5, sticking it cold in Michigan’s meet vs. Ohio State. Don’t be surprised if she keeps the ball rolling with another stick in Lincoln.
#22 Nebraska | Previous: unranked
After the injury of key contributor Lucy Stanhope, the Huskers responded emphatically with a season’s best 196.875. Nebraska faces its toughest competition yet as the team welcomes the Wolverines to Lincoln.
Vault remains key as Nebraska brings three 10.0 start values to Michigan’s four/five. Emma Spence led the Huskers on vault last week and will look to replicate her performance.
Fans should look for Sophia McClelland to continue her prowess on beam – the event where she’s currently ranked seventh in the country. Nebraska also boasts the No. 12 floor team in the nation, highlighted by routines from Csenge Bácskay and Martina Comin.
Nebraska offers some of the most unique, exciting gymnastics in the Big Ten. Heading into Sunday, Heather Brink’s team will need all cylinders firing to send Michigan home with a loss.
Routines to watch:
- Martina Comin on vault: Comin finished second to Spence on vault last week with a 9.925 and executes arguably the cleanest 10.0 start value vault on the Huskers’ squad.
- Ayzhia Hall on beam: Hall is fresh off a career high 9.9 on beam, an event where she is exceptionally graceful, showcasing exquisite toe point and flexibility.
#25 Illinois @ #11 Ohio State
Matchup Details: Monday, January 29 @ 7 p.m. ET | Illinois @ Ohio State – Live Stats | Video (BTN)
#11 Ohio State | Previous: #9
Although the Buckeyes dropped their conference opener to Michigan, they continue to rise. Payton Harris looks to be on the cusp of a historic season, having just collected wins over Michigan’s top gymnasts, Sierra Brooks and Gabby Wilson, in last week’s all-around
Ohio State will look to execute a consistent beam effort after surprising errors blighted last week’s rotation. Look for freshman Courtney McCann to rebound after an unfortunate fall on her superb roundoff to two-footed layout.
Fans should also look out for Mallory Gregory as an addition the the vault lineup. Gregory hit her Yurchenko 1.5 in the exhibition spot for the Buckeyes last week and would be a valuable asset.
If the Buckeyes can manage to hit four-for-four rotations, fans could be looking at a season high.
Routines to watch:
- Payton Harris on vault: Harris stands out on vault as Ohio State’s only 10.0 start value, and it’s a clean one. Her Yurchenko 1.5 is quick and tidy, wrapping in 1.5 twists in the blink of an eye.
- Nicole Riccardi on bars: The senior has some of the prettiest lines in the NCAA, flying through her Ray and massive Pak salto down to the low bar.
#25 Illinois | Previous: #22
Illinois jets off again, this time to Columbus, after falling to Nebraska despite a solid 196.400. In another tough matchup against one of the strongest Big Ten teams, the Illini will need to bring their A-game.
The team comes into Columbus having performed strongest on bars and beam. Mia Takekawa has been a rock on beam, recording three-straight 9.9s in 2024.
Look for Kaitlyn Ewald, Destiny Denning, and Takekawa to also come up big for the bars squad, and for Arielle Ward to shine on vault.
While they’ve shown some inconsistency, the floor lineup has hit the mid-49s this season, something they will be looking to emulate vs. Ohio State. Senior Abby Mueller will likely lead the way on the event after tallying a career high 9.95 in last week’s meet.
Routines to watch:
- Arielle Ward on vault: Ward currently has the only 10.0 start value vault for the Illini and seems to improve with every attempt. After a short landing in Week 2, the sophomore took a controlled step forward in the subsequent week. With a stronger landing, Ward could be looking at a big score.
- Abby Mueller on floor: The senior is fresh off a career-high 9.95 and event win on floor. With high flying combination tumbling and a contagious smile, Mueller is one to watch.
#20 Iowa @ #14 Michigan State
Matchup Details: Sunday, January 28 @ 1 p.m. ET | Iowa @ Michigan State – Live Stats | Video (Big+)
#14 Michigan State | Previous: #16
Michigan State posted the highest score in the Big Ten last week (197.475) en route to a decisive win over Penn State. If the Spartans can replicate a similar performance, they will likely celebrate a win in their Big Ten home opener.
The Spartans were widely regarded as a vault team in 2023 but have struggled with landings this year. Nonetheless, sophomore Sage Kellerman refuses to falter and enters Week 4 as the No. 1 vaulter in college gymnastics.
Look for Skyla Schulte, newly minted Big Ten Gymnast of the Week, to lead the way for Michigan State. Schulte claimed the bars, beam, floor, and all-around titles last week, followed closely by junior Gabrielle Stephen.
“Tired of feeling average,” Mike Rowe’s squad will look to put together its most complete meet yet in front of their Jenison Field House crowd. If they can put up another mid-197 score, they will certainly be far from “average.”
Routines to watch:
- Nikki Smith on vault: Smith has been perfect on vault before. Although last week’s vault resulted in a couple steps, she looked as if she was going for the stick. Fans shouldn’t be surprised if she nails her massive Yurchenko 1.5 this weekend.
- Skyla Schulte on floor: Schulte has incredible presence on floor, flying through her tumbling, leaps, and choreography for a complete performance and an often 9.9+ score.
#20 Iowa | Previous: #18
Iowa heads into a doubleheader meet weekend after dropping its conference opener to Minnesota. The Hawkeyes enjoyed personal bests in their loss to the Gophers but will look to produce higher totals in their next two meets.
Larissa Libby’s squad comes into the week ranked as highly as 12th on beam and as low as 41st on vault. Improved vault landings could go a long way for the Hawkeyes.
Karina Muñoz has been an MVP for the team, leading the way on vault and expertly setting up Adeline Kenlin on beam.
In order to leave East Lansing with a win, the Hawkeyes will need to execute their strengths superbly (beam and floor) and deliver on their lower-ranked events. Their dual meet with Southern Utah (Friday) will also be competitive, with SUU having posted a respectable 196 this season. With two meets in three days, watch to see how much depth the Hawkeyes have – can they mix-up the lineups, or will they have to rely on the same gymnasts and tap into their endurance?
Routines to watch:
- Karina Muñoz on beam: Muñoz floats on beam, showcasing supreme amplitude and confidence in all of her skills. Muñoz earned a meet-winning 9.9 last week vs. Minnesota for her routine.
- Hanna Castillo on floor: Castillo put a massive exclamation point at the end of Iowa’s floor rotation last weekend, gliding through her tumbling and engaging dance for a 9.875.
Non-conference meet: Southern Utah @ #20 Iowa
Matchup Details: Friday, January 26 @ 7:30 p.m. ET | Southern Utah @ Iowa – Live Stats | Video (Big+)
#21 Maryland @ #17 Minnesota
Matchup Details: Saturday, January 27 @ 5 p.m. ET | Maryland @ Minnesota – Live Stats | Video (Big+)
#17 Minnesota | Previous: #15
The Golden Gophers head into Week 4 undefeated and fresh off a season’s best 196.850 in their win over Iowa. However, Maryland will be another tough test for Jenny Hansen’s team.
Minnesota enters the week as the 12th-ranked floor team in the country thanks to exceptional work from Mya Hooten and Seria Johnson. The team’s lowest ranking comes on vault, where the Gophers have struggled with consistent landings. Hooten and Gianna Gerdes remain key on the event, both competing strong Yurchenko 1.5s.
Though not as widely recognized as her teammates, junior Lauren Pearl has been a rock for the Gophers. Look for her to put forward beautiful yet no-nonsense routines on vault, beam, and floor.
As they look to continue their streak with a win over a top-25 team, Minnesota will want to dial in on its landings and execute a complete, consistent meet.
Routines to watch:
- Lauren Pearl on beam: Pearl’s beam was a standout last week, putting Minnesota back on track with a 9.875 after their opener scored a 8.525. Pearl has a combination of power and elegance, lifting effortlessly into her 180-degree leaps.
- Seria Johnson on floor: Johnson has everything you’d want on floor: power, leaps, and engaging choreography. She’s also been on fire, notching a career-best 9.9 in each of the last two meets.
#21 Maryland | Previous: #23
Maryland is a team on the rise after taking down Rutgers by nearly a full point in its conference opener. While their meet in Maturi will be a challenge, their 196.450 would give them a shot at the Gophers.
The Terps opened their season with a record-high opening score and have not looked back. The team heads to Minneapolis as the No. 1 beam team in the Big Ten and the eighth-best nationally.
Freshman Natalie Martin continues to impress across events, shining especially on vault and floor. Fans should also look for Josephine Kogler and Alexa Rothenbuescher. Kogler ranks 15th nationally on beam and Rothenbuescher holds the 11th spot on floor exercise.
On bars, Rhea LeBlanc continues to hit in clutch situations for the Terrapins, whereas Maddie Komoroski has looked stellar on floor, recording consecutive 9.9s.
Routines to watch:
- Emma Silberman on bars: The veteran all-arounder is impressive on all four events but has been a staple for the Terps on bars. Silberman flies through her unique Gienger and into a stunning, often-stuck, double layout dismount.
- Natalie Martin on floor: Though Martin’s vault has attracted attention, she is equally impressive on floor. The freshman has some of the biggest tumbling in the Big Ten, boasting a three-pass routine with a full-twisting double back mount.
Penn State @ Rutgers
Matchup Details: Thursday, January 25 @ 6 p.m. ET | Penn State @ Rutgers – Live Stats | Video (BTN)
Penn State
The Nittany Lions head to Piscataway after falling to Michigan State in their conference opener. Although Penn State holds a 26-2 all-time record versus Rutgers, this matchup is likely to be a close one.
The Nittany Lions are especially strong on beam in 2024, holding the title of 16th-best in the nation currently. Bella Salcedo continues to stand out on the event, owning a top-25 ranking after tallying a 9.95 in Week 3.
Fans should look for the sophomore and freshman dynamic duo of Ava Piedrahita and Kalea McElligott to continue to pace the team across all four events. Fellow underclassmen Amani Herring is also an athlete to watch, bringing a powerful and well-executed double Arabian to the floor lineup.
After their opener brought career-bests for a plethora of athletes, Penn State looks to continue to break personal records en route to their first conference win.
Routines to watch:
- Cassidy Rushlow on bars: An NCAA bars qualifier, Rushlow brings natural swing and flight to the bars. With one of the highest Jaeger to overshoot combinations in the country, gymnastics fans should mark their calendars to watch Rushlow on bars.
- Amani Herring on floor: Herring contributes to the Penn State floor lineup with a massive and clean double Arabian. As she continues to find her footing on floor, she will become an increasingly-formidable threat.
Rutgers
Rutgers hosts conference foe Penn State after dropping its Big Ten opener to Maryland.
The Scarlet Knights have seen impressive performances in 2024 from multiple athletes. In their previous meet, eight athletes tied or set career highs. Junior Elia Aird continues to provide solid all-around results for the squad, bolstered my multiple 9.9s from senior Emily Leese.
On floor, one athlete to watch for (beyond Leese) is Harmony Webster. The sophomore struggled to control her power last week but brings a full-twisting double tuck and double tuck to the floor lineup.
On bars, be sure to watch for Avery Balser. The senior is knocking on the door of a 9.9, having notched three consecutive 9.875s on the event.
Looking to Thursday, the Scarlet Knights will need top-notch performances from their lineup leaders to hold off a talented Penn State squad.
Routines to watch:
- Harmony Webster on floor: While the sophomore has struggled with her landings in 2024, she holds a career-best 9.850 on the event and brings high-difficulty tumbling to the Rutgers lineup.
- Emily Leese on floor: Leese is the Rutgers floor anchor for good reason. With energetic dance and difficult tumbling, Leese never fails to finish the Scarlet Knights’ effort with a bang.
