Kent State University
Centenary College
Golden Flashes to Take on Centenary in Season Opener
1/13/2018 8:46:00 AM | Gymnastics
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Kent State will host Centenary College for the 2018 opener at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 14 inside of the M.A.C. Center. Both the Golden Flashes and Ladies will be competing in their first meet of the regular season.
Brice Biggin enters his 27th season as head coach for the Flashes with 14 returning gymnasts from last year's team that qualified for NCAA Regional competition for the ninth time in the past 10 years. Â
Kent State was picked to finish second in the MAC Preseason Poll by the conference's seven head coaches. This year's team is led by senior All-American Rachel Stypinski, who is the two-time reigning MAC Gymnast of the Year. Senior Brooke Timko posted the team's highest average on both vault and uneven bars last season. Other returning key scorers include seniors Ali Marrero and Michaela Romito, juniors Sarah Lippowitsch, Kennedy Plude, and Dara Williams and sophomore Jade Brown.
LAST TIME OUT
The Flashes had 17 gymnasts compete at the annual Blue-Gold exhibition on December 9, with Gold coming out on top by a score of 117.825-117.525.
Individually, Rachel Stypinski claimed victories on floor exercise (9.975), balance beam (9.900) and uneven bars (9.850) for the Gold team. Junior Dara Williams took first on vault (9.925) and also excelled on and bars (9.825) to help solidify the victory.
For the Blue team, senior Brooke Timko (9.850) tied for first on uneven bars, while freshman Abby Fletcher finished second on floor (9.950). Freshman Nasha Manitkul-Davis posted a score of 38.575 as the only all-around competitor. Her best score was on floor (9.875).
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Centenary posted a190.475 RQS last season, which ranked 70th overall and third among NCAA Division III teams. The Ladies, which placed sixth of six teams at the Midwest Independent Conference Championships, has a season-high team score of 191.450.
Senior Ashley White is a two-time NCAA Regional qualifier in the all-around. Last season, her 38.695 RQS was best among NCAA DIII gymnasts. Junior Tavia Smith also competed in the all-around throughout the season for the Ladies and had a 37.325 RQS. Junior Navia Jordan 9.820 RQS on floor exercise led all NCAA DIII gymnasts.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State is 1-3 all time against Centenary. The Flashes were victorious in the last meeting, 195.975-191.000, on March 15, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
UP NEXT
Kent State will compete against Northern Illinois at 7 p.m. inside the M.A.C. Center on Friday January 19th. The Golden Flashes will then travel to Muncie, Indiana where they will face Ball State on Sunday January 28th at 1 p.m.
SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE
Season ticket flex passes are currently on-sale for just $15 and can be purchased by calling the Kent State Ticket Office at 330-672-2244. Â
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
Be sure to follow the Kent State gymnastics team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad. Live meet updates will be available through Twitter.
Players Mentioned
