Kent State University
Ball State
Gymnastics Set for Tennessee Collegiate Classic on Friday
1/18/2024 3:52:00 PM | Gymnastics
KENT, Ohio – After opening the 2024 season with a win, the Kent State gymnastics team will look to continue building momentum early in the season at the Tennessee Collegiate Classic on Friday. The meet is slated to begin at 6 p.m.
There will be no livestream or live results website at this week's meet, so be sure to follow Kent State Gymnastics on X for live updates throughout the event.
LOOKING FORWARD
Brice Biggin enters his 33rd season at the helm of the Kent State program with a new-look coaching staff and a young roster combined with veteran leadership. During the offseason, Craig Ballard was promoted to associate head coach after 12 years as an assistant coach under Biggin and Josie Angeny was hired as an assistant coach after spending the last five seasons competing in the SEC for both Kentucky and Georgia. The coaching staff will look to guide Kent State back to a team regional championship appearance for the first time since 2018.
The Golden Flashes were picked to finish fourth in the Mid-American Conference in the league's preseason coaches poll. Franz and Guns both return to Kent State after qualifying for NCAA Regionals as individuals each of the last two seasons and will once again look to lead the squad. Guns and Schultz were named MAC Gymnasts to Watch by the league office. The Flashes welcome seven newcomers to the squad, one sophomore transfer and six true freshmen, who will look to make an impact in the lineup early on.
LAST TIME OUT
The Flashes kicked off the 2024 campaign with a 194.550-193.700 win over Pitt in the Panthers' first home meet as an ACC gymnastics program. Heidi Schultz earned top-three finishes in all three of her events, including the win on beam, while Alyssa Guns and Karlie Franz won on floor to help the Flashes fly the flag.
The Flashes came out of the gates firing as Schultz, Franz, and Brynne Tsipis all scored 9.825 to start the season, tying for third in the event. Nastia Rudnitskaya posted a team-high 9.850 in her first collegiate routine to place second. Kent State totaled a 49.100 in the first rotation. Charlie Behner led the way for the Flashes on vault, posting a 9.725 in her first meet in blue and gold and earning a third-place finish. Rudnitskaya and Kennedy Weinpertboth scored 9.675.
As was the story for much of last season, Kent State shined brightest on floor. Franz and Guns tallied back-to-back scores of 9.900 to lead the team and take home the event title. Schultz and Zoe Rankin earned a 9.850 apiece in their first collegiate routines, tying for third place. The Flashes posted their highest total of the afternoon in the third rotation, earning a 49.325. Schultz led the way for the Flashes on beam, posting a 9.825 to tie for the event title, while Sarah Haxton placed third with a 9.725. Guns earned a 9.675 in her second routine of the day. Kent State wrapped up the meet with a 47.950 team score.
SHE'S BAAAAAAACK!
After a stellar senior campaign, Karlie Franz returns to Kent State for one last ride with the Flashes. The two-time All-MAC Second Team selection ranked fourth in the conference on floor with a 9.905 NQS a season ago and scored a 9.9+ mark with her floor routine in six consecutive meets, highlighted by career-high 9.925s against NIU and Central Michigan. Also competing on bars and beam, Franz hit on 18 of her 20 routines during her senior season.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Flashes will get their first look at a pair of MAC opponents in Tennessee – Ball State and Northern Illinois. The Cardinals were one of two teams picked first the conference's preseason coaches poll and received four votes to win the 2024 MAC Championships while the Huskies were picked seventh in the seven-team conference. Last year, Ball State finished the season ranked 35th in the nation (196.395 NQS) and while NIU ranked 48th in the country (195.525 NQS).
Kent State will also face Fisk and Southeast Missouri State for the second year in a row after beating both squads at the Tennessee Collegiate Classic a year ago. SEMO finished the season ranked 55th in the nation with an NQS of 195.050 while Fisk, in their first year sponsoring a gymnastics program and the first HBCU to do so, posted an NQS of 190.005.
Friday also marks the Flashes' first-ever competition with Wisconsin-Whitewater.
UP NEXT
The Flashes host their first home meet of the season on Sunday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. against West Virginia. The home opener will also be the annual Pink Meet, this year with a "Barbie" twist. Fans can purchase their single-meet and season tickets for the 2024 season here.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
For more information on the Kent State gymnastics team, follow Kent State Gymnastics on Instagram, X and Facebook, and visit kentstatesports.com for additional information.
Players Mentioned
