Kent State University
Bowling Green
Flashes Begin 2021 Season Hosting Bowling Green
1/15/2021 3:00:00 PM | Gymnastics
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State gymnastics team will open its 2021 season inside the M.A.C. Center on Sunday, Jan. 17, at 3 p.m. against Mid-American Conference rival Bowling Green.
"We are extremely excited for this weekend's meet against Bowling Green" said Head Coach Brice Biggin. "This has been a difficult stretch for all the athletes, and we feel blessed that we will have the opportunity to compete this year. The team has worked incredibly hard and is really looking forward to a great season. It will be a great test against Bowling Green on Sunday!"
Last Season
Biggin enters his 30th season at the helm of the Golden Flashes and looks to repeat the impressive 12-3 season that was abruptly ended a year ago. It was the best win percentage in the program since the 1996 season.
Sophomore Rachel DeCavitch led the Golden Flashes in 2020, earning Second Team All-MAC honors as well as being named the MAC Freshman of the Year. DeCavitch was a consistent force in the Flashes' lineup, competing all-around in all nine meets and connecting on 92 percent (33-for-36) of her routines. She led the Golden Flashes with 349.800 total points on the season and ranked first among freshmen in points per meet (38.87).
Fellow sophomores Karlie Franz and Olivia Amodei helped a young Golden Flashes squad to the third best NQS in the MAC. Franz (300.400) and Amodei (298.525) ranked second and third on the team in total points.
Along with the star-studded sophomore trio that dominated as freshmen, the Flashes' upperclassmen were also impressive last season. Seniors Jade Brown and Abby Fletcher bring both experience and consistency to Kent State's lineups. Brown ranked 6th in the MAC with a 9.850 floor NQS and 12th in the conference with a 9.785 NQS on bars. Fletcher was right behind Brown on floor with a 9.840 NQS. The dynamic senior duo tied for first place on floor at the 2019 MAC Championships (9.900) and will look to return to the top of the conference in 2021.
About Bowling Green
Kent State has long controlled the rivalry against Bowling Green, leading the all-time series 78-21. The Flashes have won 37 of the last 40 meetings dating back to 2002.
The Falcons return 10 members of their 2020 squad that went 10-12, eight wins better than the 2019 campaign. Bowling Green will be without one of its best gymnasts in program history, as Jovannah East along with two other seniors graduated the program. Â
Follow Along at Home
With no fans in attendance this season, family, friends, parents and others can watch a live stream of Sunday's matchup with Bowling Green here.
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 and Instagram along with live stats here.
Next Up
The Golden Flashes will travel to Pittsburgh on Sunday, Jan. 24, to take on the Panthers along with George Washington in the only Tri-meet of the season. Kent State will return home on Sunday, Jan. 31, for a dual against Eastern Michigan. Â
