Courtesy of Cheryl Klauminzer
The Kent State Golden Flashes became the MAC regular season gymnastics champions with their win over Ball State on senior day.
Head coach Brice Biggin said that the team’s goal this year was to win the MAC outright. Here’s how the events of the day played out for that goal to be checked off!
Courtesy of Reilly Hall, Kent State Golden Flashes
The Golden Flashes started on vault, putting up a solid 48.875. They were led by junior Charlie Behner who scored a 9.850. Nastia Rudnitskaya scored a 9.800, Gabby Riley and Ashley Morgan scored 9.750s, and Avery Compson scored a 9.725.
Courtesy of Reilly Hall
In the second rotation, Kent State scored a 49.025 on bars, marking their third consecutive meet hitting the 49.000 mark on the event. They were led by Behner and senior Brynne Tsipis who put up 9.850s. Rudnitskaya scored a 9.825, Heidi Schultz scored a 9.775, and Sophia Balko scored a 9.725.
Courtesy of Reilly Hall
The Golden Flashes put up a 49.125 on beam, a season-high on the event. Schultz won the title on the event and led the team with her career-high 9.925. Morgan finished second on the event and also set a career-high with a 9.850. Senior Alyssa Guns put up a 9.800, and Gabby Riley and Mya Migliore put up 9.775s.
Ball State led by .250, their largest lead of the day, heading into the final rotation. But Kent State came into the meet ready to put up a fight and stay undefeated in the MAC and at the MAC Center.
Courtesy of Reilly Hall
The Golden Flashes were electric on the floor exercise. Riley got the floor party started with a 9.875, which tied her career-high. Jersey Bingman followed with a career-high of her own with a 9.850. Morgan, in her first collegiate floor appearance, and Behner also scored career-highs with 9.875s. In her final appearance at the MAC Center, Guns was all smiles in the anchor spot. Her routine went 9.900, the highest floor score of the day, bringing Kent State’s floor score to a season-high 49.375, which was also their highest score on any event this season.
Kent State already had a share of the MAC regular season title going into their last home meet. Their season-high 196.400 and win over Ball State won them the title outright. This is the tenth time in program history that they have gone undefeated in the MAC.
Setting season and career highs, winning the meet, and winning the MAC title made for the perfect senior day and final home meet for seniors Alyssa Guns, Cheyenne Pratola, and Brynne Tsipis.
Tsipis said, “This was the perfect way to go out in the MAC [Center], and we still have room to grow and places to go.”
On what competing for Kent State has meant to her, Guns said, “This was my childhood dream, and for this to actually come true is so special, even on hard days you remember you're doing it for little you.”
“We pride ourselves on being a family and bringing energy for each other,” said Pratola. “[Competing for Kent State has] shown me what I'm capable of and can push through with my teammates having my back, and the true meaning of a team.”
The season isn’t over yet, though, as the team still has a quad meet at Ohio State and conference championships coming up. Tsipis and Guns shared the team’s two goals for the rest of the season: winning the MAC tournament and qualifying for regionals.
“This was the perfect way for them to go out at home, and we have unfinished business going into the MAC [championships]. When they work together, I don’t think there's anything that can stop them,” said Biggin.
Thank you Kent State for having me and for an exciting day at the MAC Center! Congratulations to seniors Cheyenne Pratola, Alyssa Guns, and Brynne Tsipis, and best of luck to the Golden Flashes!
Courtesy of Cheryl Klauminzer
Edited by Giana Robertaccio
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