Kent State University
Central Michigan
Gymnastics travels to Mt. Pleasant to Take on Rival Central Michigan
2/16/2018 1:49:00 PM | Gymnastics
Live Results                      Video
KENT, Ohio – Kent State gymnastics will head to Mount Pleasant, Michigan to take on Mid-American Conference rival Central Michigan on Sunday, February 18 at 1 p.m. in McGuirk Arena.
The Golden Flashes are 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the MAC after defeating Western Michigan, 195.575-194.975, last Sunday.
Nationally, the Flashes are ranked No. 33 with an average all-around score of 195.095. On uneven bars, Kent State ranks No. 17 in the nation and first in the MAC with an average score of 48.970. The Golden Flashes are ranked No. 21 in the nation and first in the MAC on floor exercise averaging a 49.070.
Senior Rachel Stypinski is first in the MAC with an average all-around score of 39.175. Stypinski is also ranked first in the MAC and 13th in the nation on floor exercise (9.895). On beam, the senior is fifth in the MAC with a 9.790 average. Â She has scored a season-high 9.925 three times, which is tied for the highest in the conference this season. Stypinski has scored a 9.950 in back-to-back meets on uneven bars, making her one of 10 gymnasts in the country to score a 9.950 or higher multiple times on the event.
Senior Brooke Timko is third in the MAC on uneven bars with an average score of 9.835 and a high score of 9.875. Stypinski (9.790) and junior Dara Williams (9.775) rank seventh and eighth, respectively, as part of the MAC's top bars rotation.
On floor exercise, freshman Abby Fletcher is ranked third in the conference (9.845), while junior Alyssa Quinlan is 10th (9.785).
Junior Kennedy Plude finished the last meet with a season-high of 9.875 on balance beam, where she ranks 10th in the MAC.
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Flashes defeated Western Michigan, 195.575-194.975, on Sunday, February 11, earning its highest road score of the season. The Flashes won three of the four events and scored a 49.000 or better on three events for the first time this season.
Stypinski won her fourth all-around title with a 39.350 and earned three scores of 9.900 or better for the second week in a row. The senior took first place outright on bars (9.950) and beam (9.925), and tied for first on floor (9.900). Stypinski tied the school record on bars for the second week in a row.
On bars, senior Ali Marrero tied for third place with a 9.850. Senior Brooke Timko finished in fifth place with a 9.800. Junior Sarah Lippowitsch tied for sixth with a 9.775, while senior Michaela Romito and junior Dara Williams each earned a 9.750.
Matching its season-high from the previous week, the Flashes posted a team score of 49.100 on floor exercise and had four gymnasts score a 9.800 or better. Junior Alyssa Quinlan and freshman Abby Fletcher both tied for third place (9.825). Sophomore Sarah McCarty tied for seventh place (9.800).
Junior Kennedy Plude finished runner-up to Stypinski (9.925) on balance beam with a season-high of 9.875. Marrero tied for fourth place with a 9.800, as the Flashes posted a new season-high team score of 49.025 for the event.
SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN
The Chippewas (5-1, 3-0 MAC) are No. 26 in the country with a MAC-best average score of 195.392. Central Michigan defeated Illinois State, 194.525-192.025, on Friday, February 9.
Central Michigan ranks in the top two on every event. The Chippewas are first on vault and balance beam, and second on bars and floor in the conference. Central Michigan is in the top 30 in the country on uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.
Denelle Pedrick is the top all-around performer for Central Michigan ranking sixth in the MAC (38.895). Pedrick also ranks first in the MAC and 17th in the country on vault (9.867). Katy Clements is first in the conference on beam and fifth in the country (9.908). Gianna Plaska ranks first in the MAC on uneven bars (9.838), while Hayley Porter is fourth on balance beam (9.796).
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State is 44-47 all-time vs. Central Michigan. Last season, the Golden Flashes were edged by the Chippewas, 195.775-195.675.
Rachel Stypinski won the all-around title (38.925). Stypinski, Brooke Timko, and Dara Williams all placed within the top five on uneven bars. On balance beam, Kennedy Plude finished in third place. Stypinski won floor exercise and tied for second on vault, while Timko took sixth on vault.
UP NEXT
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center for its annual Pink Meet against Eastern Michigan on Sunday, February 25 at 1 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
