Kent State University
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Western Michigan
Golden Flashes Earn Victory over Western Michigan
3/10/2024 3:46:00 PM | Gymnastics
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Kent State gymnastics team posted its highest road score of the season in a 196.950-195.650 win over Mid-American Conference foe Western Michigan on Sunday afternoon.
Dani Fuertez and Heidi Schultz tied for the win on beam as the Golden Flashes scored 49+ on all four events for the second consecutive meet.
The Flashes hit on 21 routines against the Broncos and have now scored over 196.000 in four straight meets. The Flashes are finding their form at the right part of the season as they look to secure their first NCAA Regionals berth since 2021.
ROTATION 1 – BARS
Sarah Haxton led the way in the opening rotation, tying for second with a 9.875. The senior entered Sunday's meet ranked ninth in the conference with a 9.815 NQS in the event. Nastia Rudnitskaya finished just off the podium with a 9.850, while Charlie Behner added a 9.825. The Flashes combined to score a 49.125 in the first rotation.
ROTATION 2 – VAULT
The Flashes earned a 49.175 on vault, their third-highest score in the event this season. Behner and Kyndall Gilbert tied for third after each posted a 9.875, which tied Behner's season best. Rudnitskaya and Kennedy Weinpert each added a 9.825. Rudnitskaya has now scored 9.8+ in the event in four consecutive meets while Weinpert's streak extends to nine meets.
ROTATION 3 – FLOOR
Kent State posted its highest event score of the afternoon in the third rotation with a 49.475, the squad's third-highest mark on floor this season. Karlie Franz led the way for the Flashes, tying for second with a 9.950. The senior entered the meet with the highest floor NQS in the conference with a 9.910. Heidi Schultz and Alyssa Guns finished just off the podium, each earning a 9.900. Rudnitskaya posted a 9.875 in just her second collegiate floor routine while Zoe Rankin added a 9.850 from the leadoff spot.
ROTATION 4 – BEAM
Schultz and Fuertez earned the only event win for the Flashes, standing atop the podium together after scoring 9.875. Gabby Riley earned a third-place finish with a 9.850. The freshman has now gone 9.8+ in back-to-back meets. Haxton added a 9.800 as the Flashes combined to score 49.175 in the final event.
FLASHES BY EVENT
Vault
Kyndall Gilbert – 9.875 (t-3rd)
Charlie Behner – 9.875 (t-3rd)
Kennedy Weinpert – 9.825
Nastia Rudnitskaya – 9.825
Bars
Sarah Haxton – 9.875 (t-2nd)
Nastia Rudnitskaya – 9.850
Charlie Behner – 9.825
Beam
Dani Fuertez – 9.875 (t-1st)
Heidi Schultz – 9.875 (t-1st)
Gabby Riley – 9.850 (3rd)
Floor
Karlie Franz – 9.950 (3rd)
Heidi Schultz – 9.900
Alyssa Guns – 9.900
UP NEXT
The Flashes return to the M.A.C. Center on Sunday, March 17 at 1p.m. when they host Bowling Green to wrap up the home portion of the schedule. Kent State Gymnastics will be celebrating Senior Day by honoring this year's senior class and their contributions to the program.
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
