Kent State University
Central Michigan
Flashes Fly High in Win Over Central Michigan
2/24/2024 4:43:00 PM | Gymnastics
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Kent State gymnastics team posted its second-highest road score of the season in a 196.025-195.425 victory over Central Michigan on Saturday afternoon.
Three Golden Flashes claimed event wins in the battle between Mid-American Conference foes – Dani Fuertez won the first beam crown of her career, Nastia Rudnitskaya tied for the win on vault, and Karlie Franz nabbed her fourth floor crown of the season after tying for first in the event.
ROTATION 1 – BARS
The Flashes started the afternoon out on bars. Sarah Haxton led the way for Kent State and finished second in the event with a 9.925, her third 9.9+ score this year. Nastia Rudnitskaya placed third with a 9.825. Kyndall Gilbert and Karlie Franz both added a 9.750 as the Flashes opened the meet with a 48.650.
ROTATION 2 – VAULT
Rudnitskaya paced Kent State with a 9.875, tying for first in the event. Kennedy Weinpert scored a 9.850 for her vault, which earned her a spot on the podium in third place. Charlie Behner finished just off the podium with a 9.825 as the Flashes combined for a 49.075 total, the team's third-best score in the event so far this season.
ROTATION 3 – FLOOR
Kent State posted its highest event score of the meet on floor with a 49.375. Franz tied for the win – her fourth of the season – with a 9.925. Zoe Rankin and Alyssa Guns tied for third with a 9.900 each. The score marks a new career high for Rankin, while Guns has now gone 9.9+ in three consecutive meets. Heidi Schultz added a 9.875 with another strong routine – the sophomore has scored 9.8+ in every meet this season.
ROTATION 4 – BEAM
Dani Fuertez earned her first beam title as a Golden Flash with a career-high 9.875. Sarah Haxton continued being rock-solid in the leadoff spot, scoring 9.800, and Heidi Schultz earned a 9.775. The Flashes combined for a 48.925 total in the final rotation, securing Kent State's first win in Mount Pleasant since 2020.
FLASHES BY EVENT
Vault
Nastia Rudnitskaya – 9.875 (t-1st)
Kennedy Weinpert – 9.850 (3rd)
Charlie Behner – 9.825
Bars
Sarah Haxton – 9.925 (2nd)
Nastia Rudnitskaya – 9.825 (3rd)
Kyndall Gilbert – 9.750
Karlie Franz – 9.750
Beam
Dani Fuertez – 9.875 (1st)
Sarah Haxton – 9.800
Heidi Schultz – 9.775
Floor
Karlie Franz – 9.925 (t-1st)
Zoe Rankin – 9.900 (t-3rd)
Alyssa Guns – 9.900 (t-3rd)
UP NEXT
The Flashes will compete in a pair of meets next weekend to open the month of March. On Friday, March 1, the Flashes will wrap up the road swing at Ohio State, where they will face the Buckeyes as well as Illinois and Bowling Green at 6:30 p.m. Two days later, the Flashes will return to the M.A.C. Center to compete against Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m. as part of Hometown Heroes Day.
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
