No. 25 Gymnastics Knocks off Unbeaten No. 19 Central Michigan for First Place in the MAC

Sunday, February 16

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

195.525

195.500

Central Michigan University

No. 25 Gymnastics Knocks off Unbeaten No. 19 Central Michigan for First Place in the MAC

2/16/2014 3:10:00 PM | Gymnastics

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – No. 25 Kent State Gymnastics defeated unbeaten No. 19 Central Michigan Sunday, February 16 in Mount Pleasant, 195.525-195.500 at the McGuirk Arena.

In the 72nd meeting between the Golden Flashes and the Chippewas, Kent State moves into first place in the Mid-American Conference with a record of 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the MAC. Central Michigan falls to 9-1 and 4-1 in the MAC.

Kent State landed a total of 195.525 with scores of 48.975 on the uneven bars, the highest score this season, 48.700 on the vault, 48.975 on floor and a 48.875 on the balance beam.

Senior Marie Case had a first place finish in the All-Around with a career best of 39.475. Case's balance beam score lifted Kent State over Central Michigan by a total of 0.025.

"We call on her (Marie) all the time and she does so much for this program" head coach Brice Biggin mentioned. " She answers the call everyday and works harder each time." When asked about her landing the 9.925 on the balance beam coach Biggin added " there's one person you know that has to make her routine, and we couldn't have had a better person to be up there for us."

On the first rotation on bars, Marie Case landed a 9.875, which is now her season best and tied her for first in the dual. Jaymi Baxter had a 9.800, tied for fourth, as Chelsea Drooger and Rebecca Osmer both tied for fifth with a 9.775. Amiah Mims hit her season high with a 9.750 as Kelsey Lawless had a 9.525.

The second rotation, vault, the Flashes saw their lead extend to 0.775 over the Chippewas. Case tied for third overall on the vault with a team high 9.775 as Drooger and Mims tied for fifth, 9.750. Lawless had a season best of 9.725 as Baxter came in with a 9.700.

Coach Biggin stated about the leads "The girls took advantage early and never really let them (Central Michigan) get back in the meet, anytime you can come to Michigan, it's always a tough meet and for them to do that is unbelievable."

The third rotation, floor exercise, got closer as Central Michigan got within 0.500, 146.650-146.150. Case turned in team best, 9.900 on the floor exercise, which tied her season best and put her tied for second. Mims had a second best 9.850 and came in tied for fourth with Jordan Hardison with a 9.800. Samantha Gordon received a 9.725 as Nicole Radon and Kayla Kosmerl tied with a 9.700.

The final rotation came down to the last score for both teams. Halle Moraw finished her routine with a 9.900 for the Chippewas as Marie Case finished with a 9.925 to push the Golden Flashes over the No. 19 Central Michigan.

Case's 9.925 tied her personal best, was her season high and let her take first at the dual. Radon turned in her season high, 9.800 as Drooger tied her season best 9.750. Nicolle Eastman received a 9.775 with Hardison at 9.625 and Kosmerl with a 9.125.

The Golden Flashes stay on the road as they next travel to take on Ball State on Friday, February 21 at 7 pm in Muncie, Ind.