Spartans hit Rec for dual gym meet
Gymwomen prep for streaky MSU

By GEOFFREY MOSHER
Collegian Sports Writer

The women's gymnastics team has never lost to Michigan State since entering the Big Ten.

Penn State Coach Steve Shephard hopes there isn't a first time for everything when the No. 8 Lady Lions (9-3, 3-1 Big Ten) take on the Spartans (13-3, 3-2) at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in Rec Hall in a double-dual conference meet with the men's team.

Penn State's record against Michigan State is 14-2 and the expected competition has Spartan Coach Kathie Klages worried.

"I think that competing at Penn State will always be fierce," she said.

Fierce competition is something the Spartans have handled well -- especially the last two weeks. The Spartans took first place in the New Hampshire Invitational over New Hampshire, Ball State and Bridgeport on Feb. 11.

The next weekend, at the Hobie's Spartan Invitational, the Spartans took first, recording their highest score in six years (190.95) against Ohio State (189.525), Kent State (188.575) and Western Michigan (185.350).

Shephard is aware of Michigan State's recent success and knows the Spartans will be ready.

"Michigan State only broke 190 once," he said. "But I think they will be ready to compete and eager to beat us."

To prepare for the Spartans, Shephard has a few tricks up his sleeve.

He said freshman vaulter Carey Hoyt will perform a new vault with a difficulty rating of 10. Freshman Joanna Knox, who has been a consistent all-arounder for the Lady Lions, might also increase her difficulty rating by doing a pike vault.

And her success has caught Klages' eye.

"I'm anxious to see Knox," she said. "I think that Penn State will perform well."

Performing well for the Spartans during their current winning streak has been junior all-arounder Siri Larsen. At the Hobie Invitational, she set a career-high score on floor exercise (9.85). Larsen also placed first on vault (9.725).