“She is really like MSU’s biggest supporter,” said an Olympian gymnast about her mother. But what is the story? Well, with the desire to compete in the NCAA, a Romanian gymnast, native to Lansing, Michigan, has joined the Spartans. With Ana Barbosu already in the mix, the idea of joining a rising program started to make much more sense. But while she weighed her options, there was one voice she couldn’t ignore- her mother’s! Thankfully, Lilia Cosman’s mother is just on board as the 17-year-old is! But what is so special about a college decision, anyway?

Well, Lilia Cosman and fellow gymnast who represented Romania at the Paris Olympics, Ana Barbosu, are about to make history—becoming the first Romanian gymnasts to compete in the NCAA. Cosman is poised to join the Spartans, while Barbosu looks forward to joining the esteemed Stanford University. For 17-year-old Cosman’s mother, MSU is just the right fit, and she must be relieved that her girl stuck with that option. Cosman’s mother wanted to have her home as frequently as possible.

The gymnastics prodigy appeared on the “All Things Gymnastics Podcast” to share her journey of deciding upon a college. The caption? “Paris Olympics 🔜 East Lansing! The Spartans have a good one coming this fall!” Cosman said, “She kept saying, ‘MSU is so good, it’s close to home, you should come home.’” But was her mother’s insistence the only reason the Michigan native decided to attend MSU? Well, no!

At first, Cosman wasn’t convinced. She valued her independence and didn’t want location to dictate her decision. If she felt a connection to a school on the other side of the country, she was ready to take that leap. But as she spent more time with the MSU program, something changed. “It just felt different at MSU, and it really felt like home. I loved the environment, the coaches, the gymnasts—just everything,” she shared. The coaching, the gymnasts, the environment—everything clicked.

And there was another undeniable factor: MSU’s rise in NCAA gymnastics. “When I was younger, they were maybe top 25. Now, they’re consistently top 10,” Cosman pointed out. That level of growth doesn’t happen by accident. It speaks to the quality of coaching, the investment in athlete development, and the program’s upward trajectory.

For Cosman, MSU wasn’t just the comfortable choice—it was the right choice. And now, as she steps into this new chapter, she’s not just joining a program on the rise—she’s determined to help take it even further.

Lilia Cosman rises to NCAA elite

For years, Romanian gymnastics has been all about the elite stage—World Championships, the Olympics, and history-making performances. But now, Lilia Cosman is taking a different path—one she never expected. With the Paris Olympics looming, she had a big decision to make. The answer? NCAA gymnastics. And not just anywhere—Michigan State University (MSU).

Picking a school wasn’t easy. With so many top-tier programs, she had options. But something about MSU stood out. “It just felt different,” Cosman shared. The program’s rapid rise—from an underdog to a consistent top-10 powerhouse—was impossible to ignore. Add in a tight-knit team, top-tier coaching, and an environment that puts athlete growth first, and the choice became clear.

Making the move even better? Teaming up with fellow Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu. Having a familiar face on the team made the transition smoother, and together, they’re bringing their international experience to a squad hungry for success. So, what’s next? Making an impact. Cosman sees MSU’s potential and wants to help take it to new heights.

She’s here to prove that NCAA gymnastics isn’t just an alternative—it’s a force to be reckoned with. Her goal? Help MSU continue its rise while proving that NCAA gymnastics is more than just an alternative to the elite world—it’s a powerhouse of its own. And with her talent, work ethic, and drive, there’s no doubt she’s ready to leave her mark. And Ana Barbosu will also be following her soon.