Kent State University
Eastern Michigan
Gymnastics Hosts Eastern Michigan for Annual Pink Meet
2/23/2018 11:47:00 AM | Gymnastics
Sunday's Pink Meet Marks Return to M.A.C. Center for Kent State Gymnastics
Kent State gymnastics will host Eastern Michigan for its annual Pink Meet this Sunday, February 25 inside the M.A.C Center at 1 p.m. The meet will be the Golden Flashes' first at home since January 19 following four weeks on the road.
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 disease. Proceeds from this year's meet will go to the Central Ohio Surgical Association Inc., and more specifically the COSACARES program. Prior to the meet, breast cancer survivors will be honored during the team's march in.
The team will compete in pink leotards and fans who wear pink to show unity in the battle against breast cancer will receive $1 off the price of admission. Breast cancer awareness t-shirts will be on sale during the meet. Short-sleeved t-shirts are $10 and long-sleeved t-shirts are $12. The 'pinkest fan' with the most spirit will receive a prize following the second rotation.
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.
FLASHES IN THE RANKINGS
Kent State moved to No. 30 with a 195.267 average, which is second in the MAC. The Golden Flashes are No. 16 in the country on uneven bars (48.988) and No. 19 on floor exercise (49.092), leading the MAC in both events.
Rachel Stypinski is first in the MAC with an average all-around score of 39.209. Stypinski is also ranked first in the MAC and tied for 24th in the country on floor exercise (9.883). On beam, the senior is third in the conference with an average of 9.808.
Brooke Timko is ranked third in the MAC on uneven bars with a 9.833 average.
Abby Fletcher is ranked second in the MAC on floor exercise (9.775), while Alyssa Quinlan is ninth (9.792).
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Flashes posted its season-high score in a slim defeat to Mid-American Conference rival Central Michigan, 196.150-196.125, last Sunday. The Flashes scored a 49.075 on uneven bars, 48.975 on balance beam, and new season-highs of 48.875 on vault and 49.200 on floor exercise.
Senior Rachel Stypinski won her fifth all-around title of the season with a score of 39.375. The senior also took first place on uneven bars (9.875) while tying for first on balance beam (9.900).
Seniors Michaela Romito, Brooke Timko, and Ali Marrero all joined Stypinski with scores of 9.800 or higher on uneven bars. Romito and Timko tied for third place (9.825), while Marrero tied for eighth place (9.800).
Kent State impressed on vault with three gymnasts placing in the top five. Sophomore Sarah McCarty and freshman Abby Fletcher both posted career-highs tying for second place (9.825), while Stypinski took fifth place (9.775). Freshman Sydney Chapman made her first collegiate debut on the event and tied for eighth place (9.750).
On balance beam, senior Ali Marrero and juniors Alyssa Quinlan and Kennedy Plude all tied for third place with a score of 9.775.
All six gymnasts in the floor lineup earned a 9.750 or higher. Fletcher took second place on floor exercise, posting a career-high and tying Kent State's season-high of 9.900. Freshman Nasha Manitkul-Davis also posted a career-best score of 9.850.
SCOUTING EASTERN MICHIGAN
The Eagles (4-5, 0-3 MAC) are 45th in the country and seventh in the MAC with an average all-around score of 194.232. Eastern Michigan defeated Illinois State, 194.000-192.550, last Thursday.
Eastern Michigan's strongest event is bars, where it ranks fifth in the conference (48.550). Lacey Rubin leads the Eagles with an average score of 9.821, which ranks her fifth on the event. Kendall Valentin ranks fourth on vault with a 9.781 average. Emili Dobronics has an average score of 9.821, ranking her fifth on floor exercise.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State is 53-24 vs. Eastern Michigan. The Golden Flashes have won 19 of the last 25 meetings with the Eagles.
In last year's regular season, the Flashes lost to the Eagles, 195.750-195.550, in Ypsilanti. Kent State posted a 48.975 on vault, 48.550 on bars, 48.725 on balance beam, and 49.300 on floor exercise. Three Golden Flashes won individual titles and Rachel Stypinski won the all-around with a 39.175.
UP NEXT
The Golden Flashes return to the road with a trip to Lincoln, Nebraska on Sunday, March 4 to compete at the Master's Classic. Kent State will compete against host No. 14 Nebraska, No. 3 UCLA and No. 25 Iowa State.
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
