When West Ottawa's Genna Lebster joined the Michigan State gymnastics team, she saw the potential brewing with the Spartans.
So did her sister, Stephanie Lebster, who joined the team a year later.
It culminated with one of the best seasons in MSU gymnastics history. The Spartans won the Big Ten regular-season title for the second year in a row, then won the Big Ten Championship meet to earn a spot in the NCAA tournament.
"To win the Big Ten championship in our home arena with our home crowd was a cherry on top of such a record breaking season. To watch all of our hard work throughout preseason and the beginning of season pay off was a rewarding feeling," Genna Lebster said. "Coming into this program three years ago, I knew MSU gymnastics was on the rise but to see how fast we’ve reached this level of success is something we are very proud of. We came here wanting to help turn this program around, to win Big Ten championships, and to gain respect in the NCAA gymnastics community."
It is a matter of pride.
"Being a lifelong Michigan State fan, to have this impact in this historic era for MSU gymnastics is something I will always cherish. This season was the first season in a while where I was not fighting some type of injury so that allowed me to grow not only as a gymnast but also as a leader," Genna said.
That growth is something Stephanie has seen on a daily basis, that led to the big goals.
"It was amazing. This program has grown so much in the past few years. We talk about checking boxes. We were regular-season co-champions last year, so we wanted to check that box again. The next box was the Big Ten championship meet. We solidified that. It shows how big our program has gotten," she said. "We got put into a really challenging region, but we did really well. It is hard not to hang your head because we didn't make nationals, but we achieved so much this season."
While the season was exciting, it was also challenging for the Lebster sisters, who dealt with injuries and weren't always in the lineup.
"It was a pretty challenging season for me. The first day of official practice, I had a pretty serious ankle injury in practice. I tore pretty much everything, so I was out a good amount of time," Stephanie said. "After so long of not being able to do anything, it took a while to build back up. It wasn't fully back in time to be in the lineup, but I am doing the best gymnastics I have ever done right now."
That leads the Lebsters - and the Spartans - hoping for another big season next year.
"It is such a great culture and we are best friends. We care so much about each other. It makes the whole season so much fun," Stephanie said. "A big thing for me is confidence. I have the skills and form, but it is really a mental sport. Building confidence and peforming under pressure is a big thing."
For Genna, it will be about leaving the Spartans on a high note as a senior.
"Leaving regionals without the outcome we wanted just gave us the motivation for next year. Our team will continue to emphasize the importance of a family atmosphere where we will all have each others’ backs to push each other to achieve our biggest goals," she said.
The Lebsters grew up training at Champion Gymnastics and next year, will have five former athletes competing in the Big Ten. Cady Duplissis will join the sisters at MSU, while Ashlyn Doyle will join Illinois, in addition to Big Ten champion Sarah Moraw at Minnesota.
"We are so excited to train with Cady again," Stephanie said. "It will just be like old times. Sara Morow is in the Big Ten at Minnesota and Ashlyn Doyle will be at Illinois, so we will be able to all compete together. It is going to be fun."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
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