2010 Big Ten Champions!
The Wolverines posted a season high 196.9 on Saturday afternoon to defend their Big Ten Championship (and their 17th in the past 19 years). Penn State (196.525) and Iowa (195.575) rounded out the top three teams. Michigan led from start to finish, beginning with a strong 49.2 total on floor in the second rotation. Senior Sarah Curtis, freshman Natalie Beilstein, and junior Kylee Botterman earned consecutive 9.9’s to anchor the event and to earn a tie for second place for the individual event. In the fourth rotation, the Wolverines posted a 49.125 team total on vault – highlighted by Natalie’s first Big Ten title (9.9). Sarah (9.875) and Kylee (9.85) placed second and third respectively. After two completed rotations, Michigan and Penn State were tied at 98.325. In the fifth rotation, the Wolverines earned a 49.125 on bars paced by three 9.85’s by Seniors Maureen Moody, Jordan Sexton, and Sarah Curtis. After a bye, the Wolverines rotated to their final event – beam, while Penn State was on bars. Michigan held a 0.275 lead. Sarah set the tone for the event with a 9.9 to lead-off the rotation. Freshman Katie Zurales followed with another 9.9. Jordan and freshman Brittnee Martinez proceeded to hit their routines in the third and fourth spots. And Kylee and senior Kelsey Knutson sealed up the Big Ten Championship with 9.9s in the anchor spots. Those four 9.9’s were good enough for a tie for second place on beam and a sky-high 49.45 for the team. In the all-around, Sarah was edged out by Penn State’s Brandi Personett by 0.025 (39.55 to 39.525).
In other news, Bev shared Coach of the Year honors with Illinois’ Bob Starkell. Natalie was a finalist for Freshman of the Year, while Kylee was a finalist for Gymnast of the Year.
Kylee and Sarah earned first team All Big 10 honors, while Natalie and Kelsey earned second team All Big 10 honors.
Complete scores are available at: http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-gym/recaps/032710aaa.html as well as audio interviews with Coach Bev and Sarah – and a clip of Kelsey’s championship clinching beam routine. Photos from MGoBlue.com are now available at: http://www.mgoblue.com/view.gal?id=66585 . Our photos will be up as soon as possible.
The meet will be re-broadcasted on the Big Ten Network on March 28 at 2am and March 29 at noon.
Michigan will wait until Monday (March 29) to learn where they will be sent for the NCAA Regional Championships which begin Saturday (April 10) at six campus sites around the country. Six teams will be sent to each regional with the top two at each site earning a berth into the NCAA Championships. The Wolverines are guaranteed their 19th-straight NCAA Regional appearance.