The Kent State gymnastics team opened conference competition with a bang Sunday, putting up a team score of 195.425, its highest of the season thus far.
The team secured the win, defeating Eastern Michigan by 0.900 points at a dual meet in Ypsilanti, Mich. Its record now stands at 1-0 in the Mid-American Conference and 4-0 overall.
During the first rotation, on bars, Kent State took the lead with two Flashes on the podium.
Junior Nastia Rudnitskaya claimed first place with a score of 9.850. Junior Mya Migliore followed, tying an Eastern Michigan athlete for second place with a career-best score of 9.825.
Four other Flashes competed in the event, contributing to their event score of 48.925 before heading into rotation two.
Kent State swept the podium during its second rotation on vault.
Sophomore Gabby Riley and Migliore both put up scores of 9.850, tying them for first place. The scores marked a career-high and a season-high in the event for Riley and Migliore, respectively.
Junior Charlie Behner secured the third podium position with a score of 9.825.
Floor kicked off the second half of the meet, where senior Alyssa Guns stole the show, winning the event with a score of 9.925. Not only was this the highest score in any event at the meet, but this was the highest KSU score in any event this season.
Sophomore Nene Alvine squeezed into the top five. Her floor routine earned her a score of 9.775 and a tied fifth place finish with an Eastern Michigan competitor.
The Flashes finished off the meet on beam. This event proved to be a little more challenging than the three prior, being the only one without a KSU gymnast in the top three.
Alvine narrowly missed the podium, placing fourth with a score of 9.800.
Still, Alvine’s score, along with five other Flashes competing in the event, added 48.625 points to the team’s running score to secure the victory.
Junior Heidi Schultz was coming off back-to-back MAC Specialist of the Week awards, and she followed it up with appearances on the bars (9.700 score) and beam (9.775 score). She did not place in either event.
MAC competition continues Sunday in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center for a home meet against Western Michigan.
The Broncos are 2-4 this season without a match against a MAC opponent, yet.
If the Flashes can claim another victory, it would be their fourth consecutive win against Western Michigan and give them a 2-0 standing in the MAC.
Kailyn Tibolla is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].