Kent State University
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Western Michigan
Flashes Win in Home Opener, Top Western Michigan
1/29/2023 4:23:00 PM | Gymnastics
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State gymnastics team won its home opener as part of the Beauty and the Beast event in the M.A.C. Center on Sunday afternoon.
The Golden Flashes combined for a 195.925 team score, besting Western Michigan's 195.425. The Flashes' total was the third-highest score in a home opener in program history and the highest since 2002.
Competing in Olympic order, the Flashes started the day on vault. Senior Karlie Franz led Kent State with a 9.800, placing third in the event. Seniors Olivia Amodei and Rachel DeCavitch and juniors Kyndall Gilbert and Kennedy Weinpert all posted 9.750 as the Flashes opened the competition with a 48.800.
On bars, DeCavitch posted a 9.875, which tied for second in the event. Franz scored a 9.800 to set a new season-high, and Amodei scored a 9.775. The Flashes combined for a 48.925 in the second rotation and trailed Western Michigan at the meet's halfway mark, 97.800-97.725.
DeCavitch, junior Sarah Haxton, and freshman Zoe Rankin all scored 9.825 on beam, which set a new career-best for Rankin and a season-best for DeCavitch. The Flashes posted their highest beam score of the year with a 48.975, but trailed the Broncos heading into the final rotation, 146.925-146.700.
The Flashes saved their best event for last once again, totaling a 49.225 on floor to secure the victory. Franz and sophomore Alyssa Guns both scored 9.900s for the second week in a row, earning a share of the event title and leading the way for Kent State. DeCavitch matched her personal best with a 9.850 on her routine, and sophomore Grace Wehry earned a 9.800.
DeCavitch won the all-around competition with a 39.275.
FLASHES BY EVENT
Vault
Karlie Franz – 9.800
Bars
Rachel DeCavitch – 9.850
Karlie Franz – 9.800
Beam
Rachel DeCavitch – 9.825
Sarah Haxton – 9.825
Zoe Rankin – 9.825
Floor
Karlie Franz – 9.900
Alyssa Guns – 9.900
Rachel DeCavitch – 9.850
Grace Wehry – 9.800
All-Around
Rachel DeCavitch – 39.275
NEXT UP
The Flashes will hit the road once again, traveling to DeKalb to face off against Northern Illinois and Simpson on Saturday, February 4. The meet is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.
TICKET TIME
Fans can purchase season tickets for the 2023 season here or by calling the Kent State Ticket Office at 330-672-4455. Single meet tickets are also available here.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
For more information on the Kent State gymnastics team, follow Kent State Gymnastics on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and visit kentstatesports.com for additional information.
Players Mentioned
