Michigan
Michigan State
Michigan Takes Out Michigan State, Wins Fourth Straight
2/11/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 11, 2017
» Sophomore Olivia Karas competed bars for the first time in 2017, finishing tied for second.
» Michigan improved to 4-1 in the Big Ten with its fourth straight victory.
Site: East Lansing, Mich. (Jenison Fieldhouse)
Score: #7 Michigan 196.025, Michigan State 195.625
Records: #7 U-M (6-2, 4-1 B1G), MSU (3-5, 0-5 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 17 -- vs. N.C. State (Crisler Center), 7 p.m.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan women's gymnastics team took care of business on the road against instate rival Michigan State on Saturday (Feb. 11) at Jenison Fieldhouse.
Senior Nicole Artz put together her best all-around performance of the season, winning three events and the all-around. She captured titles on vault (9.875), bars (9.900) and floor (9.925) while placing second on beam with a 9.875.
"Individually I couldn't have asked for much more, but I wish everything would have come together for our team," said Artz. "
Artz's all-around score of 39.575 was her best of 2017 as she won the all-around for the fourth consecutive meet.
Sophomore Olivia Karas was also a standout for the Wolverines, competing all-around for the first time this season. She made her much anticipated season debut on bars, tying for second with a 9.875. She led off beam with a meet-high score of 9.900 and tied for second on both vault (9.850) and floor (9.875).
"It was awesome to be back on bars because I love swinging," said Karas. "I am just glad to do whatever I can to help the team."
Karas had competed on vault, beam and floor in every meet this season, but the team was being cautious with her on bars due to an offseason surgery.
"It was fantastic to have her (Olivia) back on bars," said Artz. "She has a really good routine and stuck her dismount today. It was a taste of what is to come."
Huge season debut on bars for Olivia Karas!!!! 9.875 including a 9.95 from one judge. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/kG0aoDKPm5
-- Michigan Gymnastics (@UMichWGym) February 11, 2017
Overall, the Wolverines were hoping to come away with a higher road score, but had several other positive takeaways from the meet.
Freshman Lexi Funk matched her top bars score of the season with a 9.825. Junior Paige Zaziski was solid on all three of her events once again, scoring 9.825 or better across the board. Junior Lauren Marinez had another fantastic beam routine with a 9.875 to tie for second.
Michigan will return home for two meets, where they have posted their top two scores of year -- both over 197.000. The Wolverines will first host N.C. State at Crisler Center on Friday (Feb. 17) at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
