Kent State University
MAC Championships
Golden Flashes Travel to Bowling Green for 2026 MAC Championships
3/20/2026 3:10:00 PM | Gymnastics
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Kent State Golden Flashes head to the 2026 MAC Championships hosted by Bowling Green, seeking individual and team glory.
MAC Championships Overview
Based on National Qualifying Score (NQS), Central Michigan enters as the favorite, followed by Ball State, Kent State, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, and Northern Illinois. Kent State enters the championships ranked third with a 195.088 NQS and an 8-10 overall record, positioned to compete for both team and individual honors in what promises to be a tightly contested meet. Last year, the Golden Flashes finished tied for third with Western Michigan with a 195.300, and they return to Bowling Green seeking to improve on that performance and climb the podium.
Team NQS Rankings
1. Central Michigan – 195.544 NQS
2. Ball State – 195.236 NQS
3. Kent State – 195.088 NQS
4. Western Michigan – 195.078 NQS
5. Eastern Michigan – 193.833 NQS
6. Bowling Green – 193.306 NQS
7. Northern Illinois – 192.572 NQS
The top three teams are separated by less than half a point in NQS, setting up a championship meet where execution and consistency will determine the final team standings.
Kent State's Individual Medal Contenders
Kent State enters the MAC Championships with multiple gymnasts positioned to compete for individual event titles. The Golden Flashes feature top-10 MAC performers across all four events:
Vault
Charlie Behner – 1st in MAC, 9.845 NQS
Jersey Bingman – 3rd in MAC, 9.835 NQS
Taylor Archambeau – 7th in MAC (tied), 9.805 NQS
Sophia Balko – 10th in MAC, 9.800 NQS
Kent State brings four top-10 vault performers to the championships, giving the Golden Flashes exceptional depth on the event. Behner enters as the top-ranked vaulter in the MAC, posting a 9.845 NQS with a season-high 9.900, making her the favorite to capture the MAC vault title. Bingman sits in third position and could medal with a clean routine, while Archambeau and Balko provide additional firepower. This vault lineup is Kent State's strongest weapon and could deliver a critical scoring advantage in the team championship race. Last year, Gabby Riley finished tied for second on vault with a 9.850.
Bars
Charlie Behner – 4th in MAC, 9.855 NQS
Nastia Rudnitskaya – 7th in MAC, 9.825 NQS
Heidi Schultz – 9th in MAC, 9.820 NQS
Kent State brings three top-10 bars performers to the championships, giving the Golden Flashes exceptional depth on the event. Behner sits in fourth position and could medal with a clean routine, while Rudnitskaya and Schultz provide the firepower to keep Kent State competitive in the team standings.
Beam
Heidi Schultz – 3rd in MAC, 9.850 NQS
Schultz, the reigning MAC beam champion, enters the championships ranked third in the conference with a 9.850 NQS. Her MAC title defense and ability to deliver under pressure make her a legitimate medal contender and potential difference-maker for Kent State's team score.
Floor
Charlie Behner – 3rd in MAC (tied), 9.855 NQS
Behner sits tied for third in the MAC on floor with a 9.855 NQS, positioning her as a legitimate medal contender on the event. Her high-energy performances and controlled tumbling make her a threat to finish on the podium and contribute crucial points to Kent State's team score in the final rotation.
Key Storylines
Charlie Behner's Championship Quest
Senior Charlie Behner enters the MAC Championships positioned to make history, ranking first on vault, fourth on bars, and tied for third on floor while competing as one of the conference's premier multi-event gymnasts. Behner has the opportunity to capture the vault title and medal on multiple events while leading Kent State to a top team finish in her final MAC Championships appearance. Her performance across three events will be critical to the Golden Flashes' championship aspirations.
Depth on Vault
Kent State's four top-10 vault performers give the Golden Flashes a strategic advantage in the opening rotation. With Behner, Bingman, Archambeau, and Balko all capable of scoring in the high 9.8s, Kent State can maximize its vault score and build early momentum. Vault could set the tone for the entire championship meet and position the Golden Flashes for a strong team finish.
Heidi Schultz's Title Defense
Heidi Schultz returns to the MAC Championships as the defending beam champion, seeking to repeat her 2025 individual title performance. Ranked third in the MAC with a 9.850 NQS, Schultz has the experience and execution to deliver under championship pressure. Her ability to hit a clean beam routine could provide both an individual medal and a crucial team score for the Golden Flashes.
What Kent State Needs to Do
To compete for the MAC Championship and capture individual titles, the Golden Flashes must:
- Dominate vault with four top-10 performers led by Charlie Behner, using Kent State's exceptional depth to build early momentum and put pressure on the competition.
- Capitalize on bars depth with Behner, Rudnitskaya, and Schultz all hitting clean routines and maximizing Kent State's three top-10 performers.
- Execute confidently on the beam with Heidi Schultz defending her MAC title and anchoring the lineup with championship-caliber composure.
- Finish strong on floor with the lineup delivering high-energy routines to close any gap in the team standings.
- Minimize deductions across all four events, as the tight NQS standings mean every tenth of a point could determine final team placements.
Meet Schedule
The meet is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET, and the Flashes will begin rotation one on bars, rotation two on beam, rotation four on vault, and finish on floor in rotation six.
The meet will be streamed on ESPN+, and a four-camera view will be streamed on YouTube.
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