Spartans send three elite competitors to NCAA Championships as individuals, led by all-around standout Nikki Smith and All-American Sage Kellerman.
The spotlight of collegiate gymnastics turns to Fort Worth this week, and Michigan State is sending a powerful trio ready to make noise on the national stage.
Seniors Sage Kellerman and Nikki Smith, alongside junior Gabi Ortiz, will represent the Spartans as individual qualifiers at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships, set for Thursday, April 16 at Dickies Arena. Competing in the first semifinal session at 4:30 p.m. ET, the trio carries both momentum and history into one of the sport’s most competitive arenas.
For Smith, this moment represents both a culmination and a new beginning.
A veteran presence making her third NCAA Championships appearance, Smith will compete in the all-around for the first time in her career — a testament to her resilience and elite consistency. Her path to Fort Worth was nothing short of dominant. At the Tempe Regional, she posted a 39.625 all-around score in the second round before elevating to a season-high-tying 39.725 in the regional final — tying the third-best score in Michigan State program history.

