Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Week 5 Preview: The Battle for The Mitten State headlines a competitive weekend

Week 5 of Big Ten women’s gymnastics features the clash of two top teams: No. 13 Michigan and No. 13 Michigan State. The teams enter the week tied for 13th nationally and fresh off some of their best efforts in 2024. With Michigan fans planning to pack Crisler Center in a “Maize Out,” we can expect tons of fun in Ann Arbor.
Also on the clock is a tight Nebraska-Iowa meet, with the two teams falling within one spot of each other in the rankings. Top-ranked Ohio State heads to College Park to take on another ranked opponent, this time facing a feisty Terrapin team.
With loads of intrigue and the potential for perfection, what’s not to like? Keep reading to prepare for the most competitive week of Big Ten women’s gymnastics so far.
#13 Michigan State @ #13 Michigan
Matchup Details: Sunday, February 4 @ 4 p.m. ET | Michigan State @ Michigan – Live Stats | Video (BTN)
Michigan State
The Spartans head south to Ann Arbor in their biggest dual matchup this season. With their individual highs combining to a 198.175, there’s no doubting the team’s potential. Michigan State has done nothing but improve over the past two weeks, and they look to continue their climb.
The Spartans continue to shine on bars, heading into Sunday as the sixth-best team in the country on the event, bolstered by exceptional work from Delanie Harkness.
As evidenced by Nikki Smith’s perfect 10, the floor team has unlimited potential and can be championship-worthy when at their best.
However, the difference-maker is likely to be vault and beam. Vault has been slow to develop this season, but the Spartans steadily improved on the event from Week 2 to Week 4 (49.150, 49.300, 49.375). Sage Kellerman continues to be among the nation’s best on the event.
On beam, consistency is key. The Spartans have weathered sub-49 scores twice this season and will look to match their season-high 49.450 to steal a win in Ann Arbor.
Routines to watch:
- Gabrielle Stephen on vault: Stephen’s Yurchenko full is textbook. With a gorgeous block and perfect hollow-body position, Stephen could realistically earn a “perfect” 9.95 for her vault.
- Nikki Smith on floor: Need we explain? Smith has some of the biggest tumbling in the country and regularly nails her landings. Expect her to turn in a big score in rival territory.
Michigan
Michigan welcomes its East Lansing rival after posting a 196.900 in a win over Nebraska. Despite the sub-197 score, many felt that the Wolverines’ effort was among their best in 2024.
Entering Week 5, the Wolverines still own the highest score earned by any Big Ten team (197.725). The squad will likely need a similar performance to hold off the Spartans.
Like its in-state rival, vault has also been a work-in-progress for Michigan. While we saw a massive bright spot in Reyna Guggino’s nailed Yurchenko 1.5 last week, the rest of the lineup is still chasing a perfect landing. This weekend would be the perfect time to find them.
The Wolverines hold top-10 national rankings on beam and floor and will look to bring the house down in their final two events to clinch the win. As the excitement builds for the “Maize Out” meet, we can hardly wait to see what’s in store.
Routines to watch:
- Reyna Guggino on vault: Guggino was nearly flawless last week, sticking her perfectly-square Yurchenko 1.5 for her first event title in 2024. Though her vault lacks distance from the table, her uncanny ability to find the landing is invaluable for Michigan.
- Jenna Mulligan on beam: Mulligan has solidified her status as a reliable beamer for Bev Plocki’s squad. With excellent split positions and acrobatic elements, Mulligan should be in the conversation as one of the country’s best leadoffs.
#12 Ohio State @ #25 Maryland
Matchup Details: Sunday, February 4 @ 1 p.m. ET | Ohio State @ Maryland – Live Stats | Video (Big+)
Ohio State
The Buckeyes head to Maryland undefeated in the Big Ten and fresh off their third-straight 197+ score. The team has been steady in 2024, owning top 10 national rankings on all events but bars.
Coach Paulicivic’s team continues to build, adding another 10.0 start value to their vault lineup in Week 4. Also look for Payton Harris to maintain her success. Harris has posted a 9.825 or better in every routine thus far.
Freshman Courtney McCann wowed the gymnastics world when she scored a 9.975 in her debut beam routine. However, she has fallen on her signature roundoff to two-footed layout series in the past two meets. Fans will wait anxiously to see if McCann attempts the skill successfully in College Park.
The Buckeyes head to Maryland with the advantage and will look to continue their 197+ streak and maintain their conference stronghold with their second Big Ten win.
Routines to watch:
- Mallory Gregory on vault: After two weeks in the exhibition spot, Gregory hit her Yurchenko 1.5 vs. Illinois for a 9.875. The Buckeyes will need Gregory to contribute regularly in order to fight for conference and national titles.
- Courtney McCann on beam: McCann has attracted buzz since scoring a 9.975 in her first-ever collegiate routine, but has since fallen in her last two attempts. Despite her recent struggles, McCann’s incredible series brings Ohio State’s beam lineup to another level of excellence.
Maryland
Maryland hosts Michigan State after posting its lowest score of the season in a loss to Minnesota. The Terps will look to return to the 196-range as they face off against one of the strongest teams in the conference.
Natalie Martin, Big Ten Freshman of the Week and star vaulter, will factor heavily into the team’s success. Martin proved her worth on more than just vault, holding 9.8+ season averages on her three events. Josphine Kogler and Alexa Rothenbuescher also continue to contribute top scores on beam and floor, respectively.
Vault and bars have been the team’s Achilles heels in 2024, struggling with landings to rank 33rd and 40th nationally. The team should look to improve on these events to notch a 196+ score. Look for bars specialist Rhea LeBlanc to stand out on the event.
Routines to watch:
- Maddie Komoroski on floor: Komoroski has some of the best lines and style in the NCAA, pointing to years of dance training. These attributes shine brightest on floor!
- Rhea LeBlanc on bars: LeBlanc is Maryland’s bar anchor and top-scorer in 2024. With a big piked Jaeger and huge double layout, she is always an athlete to watch on the event.
#16 Minnesota @ Penn State
Matchup Details: Saturday, February 3 @ 2 p.m ET | Minnesota @ Penn State – Live Stats | Video (Big+)
Minnesota
The Gophers head to Happy Valley 6-0 with four-straight 196+ scores to open the season. Big Ten Co-Event Specialist of the Week Mya Hooten will lead the squad against the Nittany Lions. Hooten currently ranks No. 3 on floor and No. 13 on vault nationally.
Expect Lauren Pearl to also highlight the lineups. Pearl has been a rockstar for the Golden Gophers this season on vault, beam, and floor, tallying a sub-9.75 score only once. As the team’s top all-arounder, Gianna Gerdes’ performance will also be key.
As the Gophers prepare for this weekend, they will hope to put forward their best effort this season and land among the 197s for the first time.
Routines to watch:
- Mya Hooten on vault: Hooten’s 1.5 has been ON for the past few weeks, and she is making it hard for the judges to resist the 10.0-mark.
- Gianna Gerdes on bars: Gerdes is notable across all four events, but is particularly beautiful on bars. She flies between the bars with one of the cleanest Maloney to bail connections in the country.
Penn State
Although the Lions head into Saturday as the underdogs, the door is open. The team’s best total this season (196.625) would put them in a strong position to challenge the Golden Gophers.
To replicate that high-196, Penn State will need to bring its best. Ava Piedrahita has been exceptional this season in every facet. She owns 9.9s on vault, bars, and floor in 2024.
Midway through the season, the squad remains especially strong on beam. Heading the nation’s 12th-best beam team is Bella Salcedo. Salcedo owns a season-high 9.95 for her stunning acrobatic elements and exemplary artistry.
Moving forward, the team will need to hone-in on their floor landings. The event is the lowest-ranked for the Nittany Lions, and they will need improvements as they look to win contested Big Ten matchups.
Routines to watch:
- Ava Piedrahita on bars: Piedrahita is underrated on bars. Her routine features a high Maloney to Pak salto followed by a massive and clean full-twisting double tuck.
- Amani Herring on floor: Herring has showed-out on floor in the past two weeks. Earning back-to-back 9.875s. She brings engaging choreography and a massive double Arabian to the floor.
Rutgers @ #24 Illinois
Matchup Details: Sunday, February 4 @ 3 p.m ET | Rutgers @ Illinois – Live Stats | Video (BIG+)
Illinois
Illinois hosts Rutgers after posting a 196.175 in a loss to Ohio State. The Illini have been a pillar of consistency this season, holding rankings in the low to high 20s on all four events.
The team boasts two athletes high in the national rankings, with Mia Takekawa holding the 7th spot on beam and Abby Mueller the 18th position on floor. Look for Ruthuja Nataraj to rebound after a shaky outing in Week 4. Nataraj is typically rock-solid on beam and vault, and the Illini will need her score to lock in a win.
Generally, the Illini have shown strength through the breadth of their lineups, with anchors faltering to end the rotation. If the team can manage to hit 6-for-6 in each rotation, they will add exclamation points (pun-intended) to already-strong totals.
Routines to watch:
- Arielle Ward on vault: As the only 10.0 vaulter, Arielle’s Yurchenko 1.5 is crucial. Ward had her best landing of the season last week and seems to be inching closer towards a clean stick.
- Allie Morgan on floor: The senior made her season debut last week with a stunning 9.825 in Columbus. Complete with clean tumbling and balletic presentation, Morgan could quickly become a fan-favorite on floor.
Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights head to Illinois after dropping their second Big Ten meet to Penn State. However, Rutgers continues to improve, posting a season-high 195.800 amid the loss.
Leaving Urbana-Champaign with a win won’t be easy, but it’s possible. If every Scarlet Knight matches their season’s best, the team has a 196.675 maximum score. Floor and vault anchor Emily Leese will need another strong meet for Rutgers to compete with Illinois.
Fans should pay particular attention to Rutgers’ beam lineup. The team shined last week and has confident skills across the board. Jackie Manifold and Rachael Riley shine in the front end of the lineup.
Routines to watch:
- Emily Leese on vault: Leese was milliseconds from a perfect stick in Week 4. Given her competitive nature and talent, we’d be silly to not put her on stick-watch for her Yurchenko 1.5 in Week 5.
- Rachael Riley on beam: Riley set a career-high 9.85 last week for her clean routine. Her routine features excellent amplitude in both acrobatic and dance elements.
Nebraska @ Iowa
Matchup Details: Sunday, February 4 @ 2 p.m ET | Nebraska @ Iowa – Live Stats | Video (Big+)
Nebraska
The Huskers face an injured yet motivated Iowa squad after posting a season-low 195.275 in their loss to Michigan. While the low-195 was not ideal, Nebraska notched a 196.875 just a week prior.
The team needs to strike a balance between difficulty and execution. With three 10.0 vaults to Iowa’s zero, the Huskers’ vault performance will be key. Look for Csenge Bácskay, Emma Spence, and Martina Comin to hit 3-for-3 on the event.
Beam and bars were last week’s struggle events after top beamer Ayzhia Hall fell uncharacteristically. Expect her to rebound for a top score.
In what is likely to be a tight race, the Big Red will need to put last week’s hiccups behind them in order to leave Iowa with a win.
Routines to watch:
- Emma Spence on vault: Spence has one of three Yurchenko 1.5s for the Huskers. In 2024, hers has been the most consistent. Last week, Spence took a controlled hop forwards, signaling the potential for an even-stronger landing this week.
- Ayzhia Hall on beam: Hall is a true beamer – she has exquisite toe point, posture, and lightness in all of her movements (including a lovely ring jump). When she hits, her beam is top-notch.
Iowa
The Hawkeyes head back home to Iowa City with a win and a loss after a grueling two-meet weekend. Their bigger loss, however, was that of Adeline Kenlin. While the team rebounded admirably after Kenlin went down, her absence is apparent: the team fell short of the 196-mark in the two meets without her.
However, stepping into Kenlin’s shoes is Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week Eva Volpe. Volpe has been quietly improving all season, culminating in a career-high all-around score last week. Iowa will need Volpe and team leader Karina Muñoz to hit in Week 5.
Fans should look out for the vault team to come up big. The Hawkeyes set their vault season high last week, led by Avery Chambers’ 9.875.
Beam will likely be the biggest hurdle in Kenlin’s absence, but expect this gritty Iowa squad to put forth its best effort on her behalf.
Routines to watch:
- Eva Volpe on bars: Volpe is a dark horse on bars (and on every event). With a gorgeous piked Jaeger and flighty double layout, she is making her case for a spot in the back of the lineup.
- Emily Erb on floor: Erb notched a career-high 9.9 last week for her engaging and dynamic routine, featuring a difficult back 1.5 to punch front full as her final pass.