Kent State University
Central Michigan
Gymnastics Hosts Central Michigan Sunday for Pink Meet
2/17/2017 3:51:00 PM | Gymnastics
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Kent State Gymnastics will host its annual Pink Meet when it welcomes Mid-American Conference rival Central Michigan to the M.A.C. Center on Sunday (Feb. 19) at 1 p.m.
PINK MEET
Since 2008, the Golden Flashes have dedicated one home meet each season to raising awareness about breast cancer, as well as funds to aid those who are fighting the terrible disease. Proceeds from this year's meet will go to the COSA Comprehensive Breast Center - COSA CARES program.
Prior to the meet, breast cancer survivors will be honored during introductions.
The team will compete in pink leotards and fans are encouraged to wear pink to show unity in the battle against breast cancer. Pink Kent State Gymnastics t-shirts will be on sale at the meet. Short sleeve t-shirts are $10 and long sleeve t-shirts are $12. The fan with the most spirited outfit will be determined following the second rotation and receive a prize for being the 'pinkest fan.'
Members of the gymnastics team took on the responsibility of visiting local establishments over the past month to gain their support for the cause by donating items, which have been assembled into raffle baskets. Raffle tickets are $2 each or three for $5.
LAST TIME OUT
Kent State had three gymnasts earn individual titles and posted the third-highest score in the MAC this season in a loss at Eastern Michigan, 195.750-195.575, last Friday.
The Golden Flashes returned to form on floor with a 49.300. Junior Rachel Stypinski and freshman Jade Brown both scored a 9.925 to share first place. Senior Jordan Hardison earned a 9.875 to tie for third and senior Skyelee Lamano posted a 9.850 to finish tied for fifth.
Kent State impressed on vault with a season-high 48.975, as all six gymnasts in the lineup earn a score of 9.750 or higher. Hardison's career-best 9.900 was 0.100 higher than any other competitor for the meet's largest margin of victory. Lamano and sophomore Kennedy Plude both matched their career-best on vault with a 9.775 and tied for third along with sophomore Dara Williams.
Stypinski delivered under pressure and equaled her career-best with a 9.950 on beam, which is tied for the fifth-best score in program history, on the final routine of the meet. Plude set her second career-high of the night, finishing fourth with a 9.875.
On bars, Timko tied for second with a 9.825, while Romito and Williams each earned a 9.725.
Additionally, Stypinski scored a 39.175 to tie for first in the all-around competition. It was her third all-around victory of the season.
FLASHES IN THE RANKINGS
Kent State moved up to No. 31 with a 194.660 average, which is second in the MAC.
The Golden Flashes own the conference's top floor lineup and rank 21st nationally with a 48.950 average. Seniors Jordan Hardison (9.835) and Skyelee Lamano (9.820) rank second and third, respectively, while junior Rachel Stypinski (9.740) has scored a MAC-best three 9.925's this season. Freshman Jade Brown (9.781) earned MAC Specialist of the Week honors this past week after posting a career-high 9.925 at Eastern Michigan.
Kent State ranks third in the MAC on both vault (48.715) and beam (48.830). Individually, junior Brooke Timko (9.775) is tied for sixth on bars, while sophomore Dara Williams is 10th (9.765). Stypinski is tied for 31st in the country on beam with a MAC-best average of 9.845. Junior Ali Marrero has an average of 9.713 and is tied for eighth in the conference.
On bars, Timko leads the Flashes with an average of 9.810 to rank eighth in the MAC. Junior Michaela Romito ranks 11th with a 9.760 average.
SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN
The Chippewas (6-3, 1-2 MAC) are 43rd in the country with an all-around average of 194.195. Central Michigan has only averaged a 194.063 over its past two road meets, including a 195.425-194.00 loss at Ball State last weekend.
Central Michigan's strength is its floor rotation that ranks 26th nationally with an average of 48.904 and has scored higher than 49.000 in four straight meets. However, that average drops to 48.558 on the road. Macey Hillker leads the Chippewas with a 9.819 average and Denelle Pedrick is right behind her at 9.796. Pedrick leads CMU on vault with an average of 9.788, which ranks third in the MAC, and Katy Clements has an average of 9.779.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State is 44-45 all-time vs. Central Michigan. The two most storied programs in the MAC, one of the two schools has claimed at least a share of the regular season title since the conference began crowning one in 2003. During that span, the Flashes and Chippewas have combined for 11 of the 14 MAC Championships titles.
Last season, the Flashes earned a 195.325-194.550 victory in Mount Pleasant. Kent State won three of the four events with Rachel Stypinski earning individual titles on beam (9.825) and floor (9.900).
UP NEXT
Kent State goes back on the road next weekend for a tri-meet at North Carolina State on Saturday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m. The meet will also include No. 20 George Washington.
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
