Kent State University
Ball State
Franz Goes Perfect, Flashes Set Multiple Program Records in Tennessee
1/19/2024 11:15:00 PM | Gymnastics
LEBANON, Tenn. – Led by Karlie Franz's perfect 10.000 on floor, the Kent State gymnastics team posted the highest all-around score in program history at the Tennessee Collegiate Classic on Friday night.
The Golden Flashes placed second in the meet with a 197.725 team total, the highest tally in program history. The previous high, a 197.050, was set against Western Michigan on March 14, 2004.
The Flashes also set new program bests on floor (49.675) and tied their highest total on bars (49.500) and second-highest on vault (49.300). Ball State won the Tennessee Collegiate Classic with a 198.025.
ROTATION 1 – BARS
Five Flashes set or matched career-highs in the first rotation. Kyndall Gilbert set the tone with a career-best 9.925, while Heidi Schultz, Charlie Behner, and Sarah Haxton all scored 9.900, which marked a new best for both Schultz and Behner and tied Haxton's best. Franz matched her career-high with a 9.875 as well as the Flashes earned a 49.450, tying their result from last year's Mid-American Conference Championships as the second-highest score in program history.
ROTATION 2 – BEAM
Nene Alvine led the way for the Flashes in the second rotation, finishing third on beam with a 9.900. Schultz and Dani Fuertez put together strong routines as well, both earning a 9.875. All three of the Flashes' top scores in the event set season-highs. Haxton closed out her night with a 9.825, the second-consecutive meet she has scored higher than a 9.8 in the event.
ROTATION 3 – FLOOR
Three Flashes received at least one "10" from a judge as Kent State posted the best event score in program history with a 49.675. Guns and Schultz both earned 9.975, which set Schultz's career high and matched Guns', and both Kennedy Weinpert and Zoe Rankin had stellar routines, earning 9.875 and 9.85, respectively. The story of the night, however, was Karlie Franz's perfect 10.000. Franz is the first gymnast in blue and gold to score a 10.000 since Jessie James in 2004. Franz took home the floor title for the second week in a row while Guns and Schultz tied for second.
ROTATION 4 – VAULT
Nastia Rudnitskaya placed third with a career-best 9.900 to lead the way for the Flashes in the final rotation. Behner earned a 9.875 and both Gilbert and Rankin both scored 9.850. Both Weinpert and Gabby Riley set new season-highs with a 9.825 apiece to give the Flashes their highest score in the event since 2012.
FLASHES BY EVENT
Vault
Nastia Rudnitskaya – 9.900 (3rd)
Charlie Behner – 9.875
Kyndall Gilbert – 8.850
Zoe Rankin – 9.850
Bars
Kyndall Gilbert – 9.925
Heidi Schultz – 9.900
Charlie Behner – 9.900
Sarah Haxton – 9.900
Beam
Nene Alvine – 9.900 (3rd)
Heidi Schultz – 9.875
Dani Fuertez – 9.875
Floor
Karlie Franz – 10.000 (1st)
Heidi Schultz – 9.975 (t-2nd)
Alyssa Guns – 9.975 (t-2nd)
Kennedy Weinpert – 9.875
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
