Sophia Balko - Gymnastics - Kent State Golden Flashes

2026 Gymnastics seniors with the whole team

Photo by: David Dermer

Balko, Sophia

Sophia Balko

Class:
Junior
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

Thursday, May 28

Monday, March 30

Sunday, March 15

Sunday, March 15

Emma Masse Named Kent State Gymnastics Assistant Coach

Tuesday, June 09

Austyn Fobes head gymnastics coach sits at table with microphone for interview. She is wearing a sweatshirt that says Kent State. A 2026 MAC women'ts golf hat is in the background with other kent state giveaways

Austyn Fobes First Interview as Kent State Gymnastics Head Coach (WATCH)

Monday, June 01

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