Kent State University
Eastern Michigan
Golden Flashes host Eastern Michigan in Coach Biggin’s Final Meet in the MACC
3/14/2026 7:29:00 PM | Gymnastics
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State Golden Flashes host Eastern Michigan inside the Memorial Athletic Convocation Center (MACC) for a historic meet marking head coach Brice Biggin's final home competition after 35 seasons leading the program.
A Historic Final Home Meet
This meet represents far more than a Mid-American Conference (MAC) dual competition; it marks the end of an era as head coach Brice Biggin coaches his final home meet after 35 years at the helm of Kent State gymnastics. Biggin's 460 career victories stand as the most in Kent State history and second-most in MAC history. Under his leadership, the Golden Flashes have captured 11 MAC Regular Season titles and eight MAC Championship titles. His coaching excellence has been recognized at every level. Biggin earned National Coach of the Year honors in 2011, has been named Region Coach of the Year three times, and has claimed an unprecedented 12 MAC Coach of the Year awards. The pinnacle of Biggin's career came in 2011, when he led Kent State to the NCAA National Championships, marking the only appearance by a MAC school in the national championship meet.
Beyond team success, Biggin has developed individual champions throughout his career, guiding eight gymnasts to individual NCAA Championship appearances and celebrating five individual NCAA Regional Champions. His athletes have earned eight MAC Gymnast of the Year selections, 71 All-MAC selections, and 52 individual MAC Championships. Nine of his former athletes have been inducted into Kent State's prestigious Varsity K Hall of Fame, and the Golden Flashes have made 24 NCAA Regional team appearances under his guidance. Biggin has been equally committed to his student-athletes' success in the classroom, as his gymnasts have earned 153 Scholastic All-America honors and 128 Academic All-MAC selections, demonstrating the program's commitment to excellence in competition and academics. The MAC Center will serve as the backdrop for honoring one of the most decorated coaching careers in Kent State history.
Team Overview
Kent State – Ranked 45th (7-10, 2-3)
Vault: 32nd nationally
Bars: 39th nationally
Beam: 52nd nationally
Floor: 38th nationally
Kent State enters Coach Biggin's final home meet with a 7-10 overall record and 2-3 MAC mark, looking to send their legendary coach out on a high note. The Golden Flashes have shown steady improvement throughout the season, with vault (32nd) and floor (38th) emerging as their strongest apparatuses. Kent State features depth across all four events and will look to channel the emotion of this historic moment into one of its best performances of the season. The motivation to deliver a home victory in Coach Biggin's final meet in the MACC could provide the spark the Golden Flashes need to execute at their highest level.
Eastern Michigan – Ranked 51st (8-12, 2-3)
Vault: 49th nationally
Bars: 57th nationally
Beam: 51st nationally
Floor: 53rd nationally
Eastern Michigan enters with an 8-12 overall record and a 2-3 MAC mark, matching Kent State's conference standing. The Eagles feature all-around gymnast Kyrie Lowe, who provides multi-event scoring capability, and have shown the ability to post competitive scores throughout the season.
Key Matchups
Vault Dominance
Kent State holds a commanding advantage on vault, ranking 32nd nationally, while Eastern Michigan ranks 49th. This is the apparatus where the Golden Flashes can make an early statement and build momentum for Coach Biggin's final home meet. With Charlie Behner leading the way and multiple gymnasts capable of scoring in the high 9.8s, explosive power and stuck landings will be essential. Vault could set the tone for the entire competition, and Kent State needs to capitalize on this significant ranking advantage.
Bars Advantages
Kent State holds an edge on bars (39th vs. 57th). On bars, the Golden Flashes feature strong performers like Nastia Rudnitskaya, Heidi Schultz, Charlie Behner, and others who will play a pivotal role in the Flashes' ability to win on bars.
Floor Battle
Kent State ranks 38th nationally on floor compared to Eastern Michigan's 53rd, giving the Golden Flashes another significant advantage. This could be the rotation where Kent State delivers an emotional, high-energy performance to close out Coach Biggin's final home meet. The Golden Flashes need controlled tumbling, stuck landings, and performances that showcase everything Coach Biggin has built over 35 years. Floor could be the signature moment that defines this historic day.
What Kent State Needs to Do
To send Coach Biggin out with a victory in his final M.A.C. Center meet, the Golden Flashes must:
- Dominate vault with explosive power and stuck landings, using Kent State's 32nd national ranking to build early momentum and set the tone for the meet.
- Capitalize on bars with clean routines from Nastia Rudnitskaya and Heidi Schultz, leveraging Kent State's significant ranking advantage over Eastern Michigan.
- Execute confidently on beam despite the emotional weight of the moment, with Heidi Schultz's MAC championship experience anchoring the lineup.
- Finish strong on floor with high-energy, emotional routines that celebrate Coach Biggin's 35-year legacy and showcase everything he has built.
- Channel the emotion of the day into focused execution, staying composed while celebrating the historic significance of the meet.
- Feed off the MAC Center crowd and deliver a performance worthy of Coach Biggin's incredible 35-year career.
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