For the first time in conference history, six out of the seven competing teams are ranked in the GymInfo Top 25 coming into the Big Ten Championship. Penn State and Michigan fight for the team crown.
Penn State: The Nittany Lions head into the Big Ten championships ranked No.1 with an overall regional qualifying score of 196.115. Penn State realized that winning its first Big Ten crown is possible after upsetting conference rival Michigan (No. 2) in February. Along with the top team rank, Penn State is also ranked No. 1 in the conference in the floor exercise and balance beam and No. 2 in the vault and uneven bars. With defending bars champion sophomore Katie Perret, Penn State also has freshman floor specialist Brandi Personett who is currently ranked first in the conference and No.12 in the nation with a 9.900.
Michigan: The 14-time conference champion Wolverines aren't far behind in the Big Ten ranks, nipping at Penn State's heels with a regional qualifying score of 196.110 and a No. 13 national rank. Although the Wolverines took the titles in the vault, bars, beam and all-around, they still fell to Penn State 195.900-195.525, one of five losses this season. However, Michigan has the top gymnast in the uneven bars, sophomore Becky Barnard, scoring a 9.925 or higher in the last three meets and a regional qualifying score of 9.905. The Wolverines also have 2006 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Tatjana Thuener-Rego.
Michigan State: Even after losing to both Ohio State and Illinois, the Spartans are currently ranked third in the conference and No.19 in the nation with a regional qualifying score of 195.520. Michigan State is not far from last year's mark after taking second place in Big Tens last year. 2006 All- Big Ten senior Kristen Coleman is ranked first in the beam with a 9.885, just above Penn State senior Stephanie Sullivan, and set the Spartan school record in the all-around this season. Spartan freshman Rochelle Robinson also holds the number one conference spot in the vault with a 9.905.
Ohio State: With a consistent season, Ohio State is ranked No.4 in the Big Ten and No. 20 nationally with 195.215. 2006 All-Big Ten junior Maalika Moore-Thomas shines among the Buckeyes with a career and team season high in the all-around with a 39.400. Ohio State is also ranked third in the conference in the bars behind Penn State and Michigan and third in the vault.
Illinois: The fighting Illini are ranked No. 6 in the Big Ten and No. 21 in the country, even after defeating Ohio State, Michigan State and Iowa. The Illini had a rocky start to the season, but managed to set a school record in the team score in the vault and put six wins in the books with scores in between 194-195. Although freshman Nicole Cowart is new to collegiate competition, she posted three career bests this season, including a title in the vault her first collegiate meet and three all-around titles.
Minnesota: Although being the 2006 defending Big Ten champions, Minnesota is ranked No. 6 in the conference and No. 23 in the country with a 194.775. The Gophers had a few rough meets during opening season, losing four straight competitions in a row, but defeated Iowa later on in the season. Sophomore Carmelina Carabajal lead the Gophers by consistently scoring in the high 38s and low 39s in the all-around with two scores in the 9.9s on the floor.
Iowa: Ranked last in the Big Ten and No. 32 in the country with a 194.340, the Hawkeyes still clocked in six season wins throughout the season, including a win against Minnesota with a season high team score. Junior academic All-Big Ten Katie Burke took the bars, beam, floor and all-around during the Minnesota meet, scored four times in the 39s in the all-around during the season and took two crowns in the all-around. Last year, the Hawkeyes came in sixth at Big Tens.
--compiled by Meredith Ryan
