Gymnastics Looks to Topple No. 5 Oklahoma Tonight

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KENT, OhioLooking to down its second top 25 opponent in as many weeks, the Kent State University gymnastics team (1-0) will face No. 5 University of Oklahoma (4-0) tonight (Jan. 21) in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. Meet time is slated for 7 p.m. CT.

SCOUTING THE SOONERS: Oklahoma remains undefeated after pulling out a win over Texas Womans University 193.600-188.650 Jan. 15. In the victory, the Sooners Ashley Cooney placed on all five events, winning vault and all-around. Oklahoma is coached by Steve Nunno (UMass 79), who is in his sixth season with the Sooners.

SERIES RECORDS: This will be just the second meeting between both institutions and first since 1983, when Oklahoma defeated the Flashes 173.200-168.000 in Ann Arbor, Mich.

FLASHES OPEN 2005 SEASON WITH WIN OVER NO. 23 WEST VIRGINIA: The Kent State University gymnastics team edged then-No. 23 West Virginia University 190.875-190.525 in its season opener Jan. 16 at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.

Seniors Erika Linnersten (Cincinnati, Ohio/Finneytown) and April Zentko (Poland, Ohio/Poland) led Kent State in the victory. Linnersten won bars (9.825) and tied for third on beam (9.750) while Zentko won the all-around (38.525) and tied for third on beam (9.750).

A pair of freshmen also made contributions in their collegiate debut. Kristin Peters (Maineville, Ohio/Kings) placed third on bars with a 9.750 while classmate Jill Kowalski (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) finished third on floor with a 9.675.

MAC STANDINGS: In the latest Mid-American Conference gymnastics release Jan. 17, five Flashes rank among the individual best list in the league. On bars, senior Erika Linnersten is tied for third (9.825) and freshman Kristin Peters (Maineville, Ohio/Kings) is tied for seventh (9.750). Linnersten and senior April Zentko (Poland, Ohio/Poland) are tied for fifth on beam with a 9.750. On floor, freshmen Jill Kowalski (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) and Alyssa Zambryckij (Casselberry, Fla./Lyman) rank eighth (9.675) and ninth (9.650) respectively.

SENIORS LEAD THE WAY: Seniors Erika Linnersten (Cincinnati, Ohio/Finneytown) and April Zentko (Poland, Ohio/Poland) were instrumental in guiding the Flashes to its season-opening victory over then-No. 23 West Virginia Jan. 16.

Linnersten won bars with a 9.825, which was the highest score of the meet and also was one of only two gymnasts that scored 9.800 or better in all four events. She also tied for third on beam with a 9.750. In the latest GymInfo rankings, Linnersten is tied for 11th in the Central Region on bars.

Zentko won all-around honors with a 38.525 and tied for third on beam with a 9.750. She also finished among the top five on vault (9.625) and bars (9.600), placing fifth in both. Zentkos all-around score currently ranks 17th in the Central Region.

FRESHMEN DEBUT: Kent States first meet not only signaled the start of the 2005 season, it also saw freshmen Jill Kowalski (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North), Kristin Peters (Maineville, Ohio/Kings), Amy Presan (Scottsdale, Ariz./Horizon), Phylicia Robertson (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln) and Alyssa Zambryckij (Casselberry, Fla./Lyman) make their collegiate debuts.

KSU PICKED SECOND IN MAC PRESEASON POLL: The Kent State University gymnastics team has been picked to finish second in the 2005 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Gymnastics Preseason Poll, announced Thursday (Jan. 13) by a vote of the leagues seven head coaches. This is the second straight season the Flashes were picked for the No. 2 spot.

Seven letterwinners are back from last years team that posted an 11-2 overall record and 5-1 league mark. All-MAC First Team selection Earline Feugill (Weston, Fla./Western) returns after sharing 2004 MAC floor title. Senior April Zentko (Poland, Ohio/Poland), a second team All-MAC selection in 2004, also returns.

Defending MAC Champions Central Michigan University was picked to repeat after a 15-3, 6-0 MAC record a year ago. The Chippewas and the Flashes also were picked to share the MAC championship crown this season.

HEAD COACH BRICE BIGGIN: Although he enters his 14th season as head coach of the Kent State gymnastics team, Brice Biggins connection with Kent State dates back 25 years when he was a member of the mens gymnastics team.

In 2004, he led the Golden Flashes to an 11-2 mark and a 5-1 MAC record, capped by a second-place finish at league championships. Biggin recorded his 100th career victory in a 196.475-194.650 win against the University of Pittsburgh Feb. 13.

UP NEXT: Kent State holds its MAC lidlifter against Ball State University Friday, Jan. 28 in the M.A.C. Center. Meet time is 7 p.m. ET.

Gymnastics Looks to Topple No. 5 Oklahoma Tonight

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