Sophia Balko - Gymnastics - Kent State Golden Flashes

2026 Gymnastics seniors with the whole team

Photo by: David Dermer

Balko, Sophia

Sophia Balko

Class:
Sophomore
Position:
AA
Hometown:
Morgantown, W.Va.
High School:
University High School

Balko's Career Highs

Vault	9.850 vs. Bowling Green, Mar. 1, 2026 9.850 vs. Eastern Michigan, Mar. 15, 2026
Bars	9.825 at Western Michigan, Mar. 8, 2026

2026 SEASON

Competed on vault in 8 of 11 regular-season meets including the MAC Championships
Competed on bars in 10 of 11 regular-season meets including the MAC Championships
Posted a season-high and career-high 9.850 on vault, reached on two occasions — BGSU and EMU
Recorded a season-high and career-high 9.825 on bars, achieved at WMU
Finished with a season average of 9.769 on vault and 9.727 on bars

2025 SEASON

Competed in three events on bars
Made her official collegiate debut at Northern Illinois
Earned a season-high 9.725 vs Ball State

Prior to Kent State

2024 National Qualifier
2024 WV level 10 all-around, vault, bars, beam, and floor state champion
2023 WV Level 10 all-around and floor state champion

Personal

Daughter of Jill and Jason
Sibling to Bella
Majoring in Exercise Science

Kent Sate of Mind: Dani Fuertez

Monday, March 30

Kent State Gymnastics vs Eastern Michigan Postgame Press Conference

Sunday, March 15

Kent State Gymnastics Highlights vs Eastern Michigan | 3.15.26

Sunday, March 15

35 Years of Kent State Gymnastics: A Conversation with Brice Biggin

Thursday, March 12

Three Kent State Golden Flashes gymnasts in navy, white, and gold rhinestone-embellished leotards hang side by side from the uneven bars, smiling, with the word 'Gymnastics' visible on the wall behind them and the Kent State lightning bolt, Golden Flashes, and Under Armour logos in the corner.

Kent State Gymnastics Tied for Most Academic All-MAC Honorees with 11

Friday, April 24

A Kent State gymnastics coach in a white blouse leans against the balance beam on the competition floor, smiling warmly as she watches her athletes during a meet. Gymnasts are visible in the blurred foreground and background, with the arena's blue and gold signage visible behind her.

Kent State Named Austyn Fobes as Women’s Gymnastics Head Coach

Friday, April 17

Schultz, Bingman, Behner Compete at NCAA Lexington Regional

Friday, April 03

Charlie Behner, Heidi Schultz, and Jersey Bingman are smiling and wearing Kent State Gymnastics shirts. Behind them is a well-lit sports venue with banners and logos visible. The setting appears to be inside a gymnasium or sports arena.

Behner, Bingman, and Schultz Ready for NCAA Lexington Regional

Thursday, April 02