Big Ten Championship Evening Session

Recap

The Big Storyline: This was Michigan’s meet top to bottom. The Wolverines came out swinging with a record-breaking bar rotation, then moved to beam where Abby Heiskell was perfect. The Spartans were strong across the board and stellar on beam, but were held back a touch by imperfect vault landings. Ohio State had its best away meet of the year, only faltering a touch during its usually-excellent floor rotation. Iowa was hampered by a counting beam fall, something that has become a trend of late. The Hawkeyes were surpassed by Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska and Penn State from the afternoon session. The Gophers also bested the Buckeyes.

Postseason Implications: Despite a strong showing, Michigan falls to No. 3 in the country due to Florida’s massive total at SECs. Michigan State secured a No. 10 ranking and third-seed to regionals. The Buckeyes come in at No. 16, securing the final seeded regional position. 

Records: Michigan tied its bar record with a 49.725, which is also a new record number for the Big Ten championship meet. Its 198.000 is also the second-best total at this meet, after last years’ 198.200 from the Wolverines. The Spartans set a new beam program record with a 49.525, and Ohio State’s 196.975 is a new program-best at the championship. Heiskell’s 10.0 is her first on beam; all of her previous perfect marks came on vault.

Controversies: Our resident judge Rihannon Franck said she would’ve taken a hop on Heiskell’s beam landing.

Conference Awards

Gymnast of the Year: Sierra Brooks (Michigan)

Newcomer of the Year: Nikki Smith (Michigan State)

Coach of the Year: Mike Rowe (Michigan State)

Preview

• No. 2 Michigan | 198.045 NQS | 198.300 season high
• No. 9 Michigan State | 197.575 NQS | 198.225 season high
• No. 15 Ohio State | 197.055 NQS | 197.600 season high
• No. 25 Iowa | 196.650 NQS | 196.925 season high

If you can only watch one meet, here’s why it should be this one… Michigan could rewrite the championship record book again this year, and Michigan State is sitting right there behind the Wolverines, ready to apply pressure to its in-state rival; the Spartans handed Michigan one of its two losses in the regular season. While Iowa sits well behind the pack, it’s the host and is going to be hunting for its first 197 of the year. Plus, all of Ohio State’s 197s have come at home; can the Buckeyes hit their potential on the road? 

If this is one of many meets you’ll be watching, don’t miss this… Michigan does can’t-miss gymnastics across all four rotations, but you’ll especially want to tune into rotations three and four to see the Wolverines on floor and vault. Rotation three also features Ohio State’s huge, stunning vault lineup, and rotation four sees the Hawkeyes on floor. If it’s Michigan State floor you’re seeking, watch this one from the top, since the Spartans start there. Rotation one is also critical for the Buckeyes, who have the dreaded task of starting on beam.

What’s the bigger picture to keep an eye on? Michigan will either end the season at No. 2 or No. 3. Only Florida can catch Michigan at this point. Either way, it’ll be a one-seed at regionals. The Spartans are locked into a final ranking between No. 8 and No. 13—so the elusive two-seed is within reach, but Michigan State has to be lights-out here. Ohio State can’t see much movement and will end the year between Nos. 13 and 19 while Iowa is locked into being geographically placed at regionals, finishing between Nos. 22 and 28.

By the Numbers

Past Champions

• Michigan: 25 titles, last won in 2019
• Ohio State: 5 titles, last won in 1987

Records Watch

• Team: 198.200 (Michigan, 2022) | Vault: 49.725 (Nebraska, 2012; Michigan, 2022) | Bars: 49.625 (Michigan, 2004) | Beam: 49.550 (Penn State, 2000) | Floor: 49.700 (Michigan, 2014)
• All Around: 39.800 (Ray) | Vault: 10.000 (Wymer, Kabnick, K. Rowland, Mable, Wojcik, Brooks) | Bars: 10.000 (Peters, Ray) | Beam: 10.000 (Nikki Smith, Penn State, 2000) | Floor: 10.000 (Sampson, Wong)

Last Time Out

Michigan roared to the Big Ten title in 2022, setting a new conference championship team record on the way. The Spartans snuck past Iowa to take second despite a subpar beam rotation. Ohio State struggled on beam, finishing fifth, just behind Minnesota.