Kent State University
Ohio State
Flashes to Take on Nationally-Ranked Teams at Ohio State Quad in Gymnastics Opener
1/13/2017 1:47:00 PM | Gymnastics
Live Results                      Video (subscription required)
Preseason Mid-American Conference favorite Kent State will make the short trip south Columbus on Saturday to compete in a quad meet that features three squads that were ranked in the Top 30 in the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women (NACGC/W) preseason coaches poll to open the 2017 gymnastics season. Competition is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. with live video (subscription required) and live results available online.
Both Kent State and Washington will be competing in their first meet of the season, while Michigan and host Ohio State opened the season this past weekend. Despite losing to Utah in a matchup of preseason Top 10 teams, the Wolverines enter the weekend at No. 11 after posting a 195.525. The Buckeyes picked up a victory over Pitt and scored a 194.375 for a No. 22 ranking.
Brice Biggin enters his 26th season as head coach with a veteran roster that features 11 letterwinners from last season's squad that posted an undefeated (6-0) record to capture the program's 8th Mid-American Conference regular season championship in the past 11 years and qualified for NCAA Regional competition for the 8th time in the past 9 years.
Junior Rachel Stypinski is the reigning MAC Gymnast of the Year and senior Jordan Hardison earned All-MAC Second Team and MAC Championship All-Tournament Team honors last season. Sophomore Dara Williams (vault), junior Brooke Timko (uneven bars) and junior Ali Marrero (balance beam) each posted a team-best average on an apparatus last season.
LAST TIME OUT
Kent State posted a score 194.000 of in the Blue/Gold exhibition at Pitt on Dec. 9. The Golden Flashes' strongest event was beam, where they posted six of the top seven individual scores and earned a team score of 49.125, which is the team's highest mark since March 13, 2013.
Individually, Rachel Stypinski led the way with a 39.025 in just her second all-around performance as a collegian. Stypinski won the balance beam (9.900) and floor exercise (9.825) competitions and placed third on bars (9.700). Â Dara Williams took first on vault (9.875) to give Kent State victory on three of four apparatuses.
Senior Milena Fabry (9.850) finished right behind Stypinski on balance beam with freshman Jade Brown (9.800) and  Brooke Timko (9.800) tying for fourth. Sophomore Sarah Lippowitsch (9.750) and Jordan Hardison placed sixth and seventh in the event, respectively.
Hardison took second on both vault (9.850) and floor exercise (9.775). Timko tied Stypinski for third on bars (9.700) and took fourth place on balance beam (9.800).
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.
