Kent State University
West Virginia
Golden Flashes travel to Morgantown for the West Virginia Quad-Meet
1/29/2026 7:50:00 PM | Gymnastics
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The Kent State Golden Flashes head to Morgantown for a competitive quad-meet hosted by West Virginia, joining Pittsburgh and Cornell inside the WVU Coliseum.
Team Overview
Kent State – Ranked 43rd
- Vault:Â 33rd nationally
- Bars:Â 46th nationally
- Beam:Â 47th nationally
- Floor:Â 38th nationally
Kent State enters the quad-meet looking to continue building consistency across all four events. The Golden Flashes have shown steady improvement throughout the season, highlighted by strong vault and floor rotations and a lineup capable of producing multiple 9.8-level scores. Kent State also brings one of the top vault performers in the nation to Morgantown.
West Virginia – Ranked 54th (Host)
- Vault:Â 25th nationally
- Bars:Â 47th nationally
- Beam:Â 70th nationally
- Floor:Â 57th nationally
The Mountaineers are strongest on vault, where they rank inside the national top 25 and can generate momentum early in the meet. A nationally ranked floor competitor leads West Virginia and will look to capitalize on home-floor energy to stay competitive across rotations.
Pittsburgh – Ranked 29th
- Vault:Â 37th nationally
- Bars:Â 32nd nationally
- Beam:Â 33rd nationally
- Floor:Â 28th nationally
Pitt enters as the highest-ranked team in the quad-meet and brings balance across all four events. The Panthers rank inside the top 35 nationally on every apparatus and feature several gymnasts capable of delivering big numbers, particularly on bars and floor.
Cornell – Ranked 61st
- Vault:Â 55th nationally
- Bars:Â 61st nationally
- Beam:Â 68th nationally
- Floor:Â 59th nationally
Cornell rounds out the field and will look to challenge the competition with disciplined routines and depth across its lineup. While the Big Red sits lower in the overall rankings, consistency could allow them to factor into individual event standings.
Nationally Ranked Gymnasts to Watch
This quad-meet features two nationally ranked individual gymnasts who could make a significant impact:
Kent State
- Charlie Behner – Vault, 34th nationally
West Virginia
- Jurnee Lane – Floor Exercise, 41st nationally
Behner's vaulting has been a cornerstone for the Golden Flashes, while Lane's floor work gives West Virginia a marquee performance on its strongest event.
Key Matchups
Vault Advantage
Kent State's vault rotation will be a focal point, led by Charlie Behner's nationally ranked performances. Matching West Virginia's top-25 vault ranking will be critical in keeping pace early in the meet.
Floor Rotation Battle
Floor could be one of the most exciting rotations of the quad-meet. Pitt enters ranked 28th nationally, while Kent State (38th) and West Virginia (57th) both have gymnasts capable of posting high-9.7 scores. Jurnee Lane's floor routine will be one to watch, with Kent State aiming to counter with clean, controlled landings.
Bars Consistency
Pittsburgh's bar lineup (32nd nationally) poses a challenge, making execution essential for Kent State on an apparatus ranked 46th. Staying clean through handstands and dismounts will be key to avoiding separation in the standings.
Beam Composure
Beam could be a swing event. Pitt ranks 33rd nationally, while Kent State sits 47th. Maintaining composure and minimizing deductions will be crucial in a rotation where scores can fluctuate quickly.
What Kent State Needs to Do
To position itself well in the quad-meet, the Golden Flashes must:
- Leverage Charlie Behner on the vault to generate early momentum
- Stay competitive on the floor, especially against Pitt's strong lineup
- Remain steady on the beam, limiting falls and deductions
- Post clean bars routines to avoid giving up ground to Pitt
- Handle the road environment, particularly against a host WVU team feeding off home support
Opponent Strengths to Watch
- Pittsburgh brings balance and depth, ranking inside the top 35 nationally on all four events.
- West Virginia owns a top-25 vault ranking and a nationally ranked floor gymnast in Jurnee Lane.
- Cornell emphasizes consistency and could factor into individual event placements with clean routines.
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Players Mentioned
