Kent State University
Central Michigan
Golden Flashes travel to Central Michigan for pivotal MAC matchup
2/12/2026 2:37:00 PM | Gymnastics
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – The Kent State Golden Flashes travel to Michigan for a competitive dual meet hosted by Central Michigan in a pivotal conference matchup.
Team Overview
Kent State – Ranked 44th (6-5, 1-1)
Vault: 38th nationally
Bars: 41st nationally
Beam: 47th nationally
Floor: 40th nationally
Kent State enters the dual meet looking to rebound from a tough MAC loss at Ball State and continue building momentum in conference competition. The Golden Flashes bring balanced scoring potential across all four events, with vault and floor remaining their strongest apparatuses.
With multiple gymnasts averaging high-9.6s and low-9.7s, Kent State has the depth to compete, but will need clean execution on the road to challenge a strong Central Michigan squad.
Central Michigan – Ranked 33rd (7-1, 2-0)
Vault: 41st nationally
Bars: 17th nationally
Beam: 43rd nationally
Floor: 41st nationally
Central Michigan enters as the higher-ranked team, posting an impressive 7-1 record and a perfect 2-0 mark in MAC play. The Chippewas feature one of the nation's elite bars lineups, ranking 17th nationally. They are led by Luciana Alvarado-Reid, a top-20 national bars performer who also ranks in the top 50 on floor.
Nationally Ranked Gymnasts to Watch
This dual meet features three nationally ranked performances:
Central Michigan
Luciana Alvarado-Reid – Bars, 17th nationally
Luciana Alvarado-Reid – Floor, 42nd nationally
Kent State
Charlie Behner – Vault, 43rd nationally
Key Matchups
Bars Battle
This is where Central Michigan holds a significant advantage. The Chippewas rank 17th nationally on bars, while Kent State sits at 41st. Led by Luciana Alvarado-Reid's top-20 national ranking.
Vault Showdown
Both teams rank similarly on vault (Kent State 38th, Central Michigan 41st), making this event a critical scoring opportunity for the Golden Flashes. Charlie Behner's nationally ranked vaulting gives Kent State a slight edge in potential firepower. If the Golden Flashes can maximize their vault scores while Central Michigan has any execution issues, this could be the rotation that makes a difference for the Flashes.
Beam and Floor Consistency
With both teams ranked closely on beam (Kent State 47th, Central Michigan 43rd) and floor (Kent State 40th, Central Michigan 41st), these apparatuses will likely come down to execution under pressure. Kent State needs to hit clean beam routines and stick landings on floor to maximize scoring potential. Central Michigan's Alvarado-Reid adds another dimension on floor with her top-50 national ranking, but depth across both lineups could determine the final margin.
What Kent State Needs to Do
To stay competitive against a higher-ranked Central Michigan team on the road, the Golden Flashes must:
- Maximize vault with Charlie Behner leading the way, posting season-best scores to gain early momentum
- Stay within range on bars despite Central Michigan's elite lineup by hitting clean routines and minimizing deductions
- Execute confidently on beam, avoiding wobbles and falls that could create separation in the standings
- Finish strong on floor with controlled tumbling and stuck landings to close any scoring gaps
- Overcome the road environment and maintain focus
Opponent Strengths to Watch
- Central Michigan boasts a top-20 nationally ranked bars lineup, led by Luciana Alvarado-Reid.
- Alvarado-Reid's dual threat on bars (17th) and floor (42nd) gives Central Michigan a scoring advantage on two critical apparatuses.
The two teams will meet on Friday, February 13, at 6 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+.Â
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Players Mentioned
