Flashes Picked Second in MAC Preseason Poll; Fuertez, Rudnitskaya Named Gymnasts to Watch
1/3/2025 11:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Following a regular season conference championship in 2024, the Kent State gymnastics team was picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference's upcoming season by the league's seven head coaches on Friday.
Sophomore Dani Fuertez and junior Nastia Rudnitskaya were included on the MAC Gymnasts to Watch list, which recognized 14 gymnasts across the conference.
The Flashes placed just behind preseason favorite Ball State in the poll as the Cardinals accumulated 33 points and four first-place votes. Kent State garnered 29 votes and one first-place selection, while third-placed Central Michigan tallied 28 votes and two first-place votes.
Additionally, the coaches were asked to predict who they thought would win the MAC tournament. Kent State and Ball State each received two votes, both trailing Central Michigan, who led the way with three votes.
2025 MAC Gymnastics Preseason Coaches' Poll (First Place Votes):
1. Ball State – 33 points (4)
2. Kent State – 29 points (1)
3. Central Michigan – 28 points (2)
4. Western Michigan – 24 points
5. Eastern Michigan – 14 points
6. Bowling Green – 12 points
7. Northern Illinois – 7 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Central Michigan (3), Ball State (2), Kent State (2)
2025 MAC Gymnasts to Watch:
Zoe Middleton, Junior, Ball State
Hannah Ruthberg, Graduate Student, Ball State
Love Apkan, Sophomore, Bowling Green
Megan Bingham, Junior, Bowling Green
Luciana Alvarado-Reid, Junior, Central Michigan
Hannah Appleget, Senior, Central Michigan
Keeley Kohler, Freshman, Eastern Michigan
Alana Fisher, Senior, Eastern Michigan
Nastia Rudnitskaya, Junior, Kent State
Dani Fuertez, Sophomore, Kent State
Kiera O'Shea, Junior, Northern Illinois
Aliyah Kelly, Freshman, Northern Illinois
Halle Faulkner, Senior, Western Michigan
Reilan Garvey, Freshman, Western Michigan
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Players Mentioned
