Kent State University
Ball State
Gymnastics Hosts Ball State for Senior Night on Friday
3/9/2017 4:04:00 PM | Gymnastics
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Kent State will honor its 2017 gymnastics seniors Friday night at the M.A.C. when it closes out the regular season against Ball State at 7 p.m.
The Golden Flashes (4-8, 2-3 MAC) are trending upward and in a good spot to earn their ninth NCAA Regional bid in the last 10 years with a Regional Qualifying Score (RQS) of 195.470 that ranks 31st in the country. Kent State owns the second-best RQS and overall average (195.103) in the Mid-American Conference.
CELEBRATING 2017 SENIOR CLASS
Kent State will honor seniors Ellen Demarest, Milena Fabry, Samantha Gordon, Jordan Hardison, Skyelee Lamano and Kiernan Roseland following the meet. These young ladies have helped the Golden Flashes to MAC regular season championships and NCAA Regional appearances in 2014 and 2016, as well as a MAC Championship crown in 2015.
The group has also excelled in the classroom and boasts a cumulative 3.565 GPA. This past summer, the team was recognized by the NACGC/W for achieving the eighth-highest GPA in the country.
LAST TIME OUT
Kent State earned its second-highest score of the season as it went on the road to defeat Bowling Green, 195.725-194.450, last Friday inside of Anderson Arena.
The Golden Flashes won all four events, of the meet, which was highlighted by a 49.300 on floor. Kent State also earned 48.925 on vault, 48.850 on beam and 48.650 on bars.
Junior Rachel Stypinski scored a 39.325 to win her fifth all-around competition of the season. Stypinski also won individual titles on floor (9.950), bars (9.850) and beam (9.825) to give her 49 career victories.
Freshman Jade Brown and senior Jordan Hardison turned in second-place performances for the Flashes. Brown scored a 9.900 to finish behind Stypinski on floor and Hardison posted a 9.850 on vault.
Junior Brooke Timko tied for third on vault (9.800) and bars (9.725). Senior Skyelee Lamano set a new career-high with a 9.800 on vault toe tie with Timko.
SCOUTING BALL STATE
The Cardinals (6-9, 2-3 MAC) enter as No. 45 with a 194.455 RQS and will be competing in its third meet in the last six days. Ball State lost to Western Michigan in a MAC dual, 195.200-194.750, on Sunday and then took first in a tri-meet against the Broncos and Illinois-Chicago on Tuesday with a season-high 195.450. It was just the second time the Cardinals have posted a score of 195.000 or higher this season.
Vault has been Ball State's best event, ranking 27th in the country with a RQS of 48.833. The Cardinals rank fourth in the MAC on floor (48.861), sixth on beam (48.144) and bars (48.492).
Kaitlyn Menzione leads the Cardinals with seven individual titles this season. Menzione has captured four floor titles, two all-around titles and one vault title. She leads the team with a 9.811 average on floor and also owns a 38.375 all-around average. Jordyn Penny (9.828) leads the Cardinals on bars and Bri Slonim (9.783) is their top competitor on vault.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State is 57-17 all-time vs. Ball State. The Golden Flashes had their streak of 28 straight wins in the series come to an end at the 2016 MAC Championships. Ball State's last non-championship victory over the Flashes came on February 4, 2000.
UP NEXT
Kent State will head to Bowling Green for the 2017 MAC Championships on Saturday, March 18. Competition is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
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
