Kent State University
MAC Championships
Flashes Shine on Vault, Place Third at MAC Championships
3/23/2024 6:45:00 PM | Gymnastics
MUNCIE, Ind. – Nastia Rudnitskaya tied for the win on vault as the Kent State gymnastics team placed third at the 2024 Mid-American Conference Championships at Ball State.
The Golden Flashes earned a 196.325 total, highlighted by the highest vault score in program history. Western Michigan earned their fifth-ever conference championship with a 196.525, followed by host Ball State in second place with a 196.475.
ROTATION 1 – BARS
The Flashes started the day out on bars, posting a 49.050 as a team. Rudnitskaya led the way for Kent State, finishing just off the podium with a 9.875. Sarah Haxton, who was named All-MAC Second Team earlier this week, earned a 9.850. Brynne Tsipis scored 9.800 and has now gone 9.8+ in every meet she has competed in this season.
ROTATION 2 – BEAM
All-MAC First Team selection Heidi Schultz paced the Flashes in the second rotation, scoring 9.850 to tie for sixth in the event. Alyssa Guns finished just behind her, posting a 9.825. Gabby Riley added a 9.800 as the Flashes combined for a 48.800 in the event.
ROTATION 4 – FLOOR
The Flashes moved over to floor following a bye in the third rotation. Zoe Rankin led the way with a 9.850, her eighth 9.8+ score of the season. Guns earned a 9.825 for her routine, followed by a 9.800 from Karlie Franz. The Flashes combined to score 48.975 before heading into another bye.
ROTATION 6 – VAULT
As they have continuously done this season, the Flashes broke another program record in the final rotation. The vault team combined to score a 49.500, the highest total in program history, as five of the six routines either set or matched career highs. Rudnitskaya tied for the event title with a career-best 9.925, her third vault win of the season. Charlie Behner, Zoe Rankin, and Mya Migliore all tied for third place after going 9.900, which set new high marks for Rankin and Migliore and marked a Kent State best for Behner. Kennedy Weinpert and Kyndall Gilbert each scored 9.875 to secure the third-place finish for the Flashes.
FLASHES BY EVENT
Vault
Nastia Rudnitskaya – 9.825 (t-1st)
Mya Migliore – 9.900 (t-3rd)
Charlie Behner – 9.900 (t-3rd)
Zoe Rankin – 9.900 (t-3rd)
Bars
Nastia Rudnitskaya – 9.875
Sarah Haxton – 9.850
Brynne Tsipis – 9.800
Beam
Heidi Schultz – 9.850
Alyssa Guns  – 9.825
Gabby Riley – 9.800
Floor
Zoe Rankin – 9.850
Alyssa Guns – 9.825Â
Karlie Franz – 9.800
UP NEXT
The Flashes have secured their spot in the 2024 NCAA Gymnastics Championships, their first team postseason berth since 2021. Kent State will find out its next opponents during the selection show on Monday, March 25.
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
