Gymnastics picked to win MAC Championship
1/4/2014 2:01:00 PM | Gymnastics
Kent State is the favorite to win the Mid-American Conference gymnastics championship in 2014 according to the preseason coaches' poll released by the league on Saturday.
The Golden Flashes are returning from a spectacular season that saw them earn a No. 23 national ranking. They were 19-9 overall and a perfect 6-0 in conference play as they won the MAC regular-season crown. The season closed with a sixth consecutive NCAA regional appearance and the 18th overall in 22 seasons under head coach Brice Biggin. Kent State placed sixth with a score of 193.500 at the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional.
Central Michigan will try to claim a fifth consecutive title at the MAC Gymnastics Championships. The Chippewas were picked to finish second in the poll, followed by Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Ball State.
The 2014 MAC Gymnastics Championship will be held at Eastern Michigan on March 22.
"I think our selection in the poll is a show of respect for how the program has done in the past," said Biggin. "That's pretty much what the preseason poll is all about. We also know that Central Michigan is the four-time defending champion. We are going to have to beat them and the rest of the MAC, too. With the parity that has developed in the MAC over the last couple of years, the teams have become very close.
"Obviously this is a nice honor, but it really doesn't mean a whole lot at this point. We know we have a lot to do before we even think about the MAC championship."
2014 MAC Gymnastics Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Kent State
2. Central Michigan
3. Bowling Green
4. Northern Illinois
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Western Michigan
7. Ball State
