Kent State University
Northern Illinois
Gymnastics Travels to DeKalb for NIU Tri-Meet
2/3/2023 12:06:00 PM | Gymnastics
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State gymnastics team will travel to DeKalb for the first of two straight road meets on Saturday, February 4, as they compete in a tri-meet against Northern Illinois and Simpson. The meet is slated to begin at 2 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Flashes won their home opener and Mid-American Conference opener on Sunday, Jan. 29, beating Western Michigan 195.925-195.425. Senior Rachel DeCavitch won the all-around with a cumulative score of 39.275, her first all-around victory of the season.
The Flashes, competing in Olympics order, started on vault and came out of the gates strong. Senior Karlie Franz posted a season-high 9.800 to lead the way for Kent State, taking third in the event. DeCavitch, senior Olivia Amodei, and juniors Kyndall Gilbert and Kennedy Weinpert all scored 9.7500 as the Flashes combined for a 48.800 mark, their best so far on the season.
On bars, DeCavitch tied for second and scored a team-high 9.850. Franz posted another 9.800 to a set a new season high, while Amodei earned a 9.775. The Flashes posted a 48.925 score in the second rotation.
The Flashes scored a 48.975 on beam, their best score of the season so far. DeCavitch, junior Sarah Haxton, and freshman Zoe Rankin all scored a team-high 9.825 to tie for third in the event. The mark set a new career-high for Rankin and a season-high for DeCavitch.
Heading into the final rotation, the Flashes narrowly trailed the Broncos, 146.925-146.700. But once again, Kent State shined brightest on floor, scoring a 49.225 to secure the victory. Franz and sophomore Alyssa Guns both scored 9.900 for the second-consecutive meet, tying for the event title. DeCavitch matched her personal best with a 9.850, and sophomore Grace Wehry scored a strong 9.800.
Following Sunday's meet, the Flashes are ranked #23 in the country on floor according to Road to Nationals.
SERIES STATS
Saturday marks the 58th meeting between the Huskies and Flashes, with Kent State holding a 44-13 series edge. A year ago, the Flashes topped NIU in the season opener, 195.300-194.150. Olivia Amodei won on bars and floor, Kyndall Gilbert came away with the vault title, and Rachel DeCavitch won the all-around competition.
The tri-meet will be the first meeting between Simpson and Kent State, as 2023 is the inaugural season for the Storm gymnastics program.
TICKET TIME
Fans can purchase season tickets for the 2023 season now by calling the Kent State Ticket Office at 330-672-4455 or purchase online. Single meet tickets are also available here. The Flashes return to the M.A.C. Center on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 1:00 p.m. to take on Ball State in Kent State's annual Pink Meet.
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
