First Place: Women’s Basketball
With a 15-16 record and a heartbreaking first-round loss to the Miami RedHawks in the Mid-American Conference tournament, the Flashes did not achieve the postseason goals they set. However, the players and coaches made this season particularly special.
“This group has continued to fight through so much this year,”coach Todd Starkey said. “And I’m really, really proud of this team.”
Junior Mya Babbitt put up an incredible scoring season with 16.2 points per game, ranking fourth in the Mid-American Conference. She also capped her season with an All-MAC second team selection.
Senior standout Dionna Gray also carved her way to the top seven in career assists in KSU women’s basketball history with 395 after averaging 4.9 per game this season. She solidified herself as one of the best to ever wear the blue and gold with her incredible passing ability.
Another honor received by the team was for Emory Klatt, who was named the Sixth Player of the Year in the MAC. Her 6.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, combined with her 59.7% field-goal percentage, were crucial to the team’s success.
Despite these tremendous accomplishments, awards do not tell the whole story. The team consistently brought energy to the M.A.C. Center and brought an incredible connection to the students and to each other.
“With this group, they care about each other, and they really want to continue to get better,” Starkey said. “Despite losing more than this program is used to, I think this team has continued to try to keep a positive and upbeat attitude.”
Second Place: Men’s Basketball
The Kent State men’s basketball team dominated the Mid-American Conference this season with a conference record of 14-4 and entered the tournament as the three seed thanks to senior forward Delrecco Gillespie’s strong performances.
Gillespie made the All-MAC First Team and All-Defensive Team after averaging a double-double of 17.7 points and 11.1 rebounds on the season.
Freshman breakout guard Quinn Woidke also took the team by storm, making the All-MAC freshman team and providing strong bench support all season. Meanwhile, graduate student guard Morgan Safford also helped carry the team, averaging 14.3 points and landing a spot as an All-MAC Honorable Mention.
This team knows how to pack the home court on campus, and they’ve done so all season. With an electric crowd thanks to Flashes fans, the team went 14-3 at home. “The M.A.C. Center, when it is loud, is an unbelievable environment with a great home court,” Senderoff s. “It’s a really difficult place for our opponents to play. We’ve been great at home this year.”
Third Place: Football
After 2024’s 0-12 finish, new head coach Mark Carney put it together for the Flashes, as he led the team to a 5-7 record and recaptured the Wagon Wheel from Akron in the rivalry game in 2025.
After a 3-5 start to the season, the interim tag was removed, making Carney the official head coach as he signed a deal to keep him in Kent through 2029.
“This is really the first time in my career that I’ve signed any contract like this to hopefully keep me in one place for a long time,” Carney said. “But this was not the mission we set out to accomplish. There is still a lot of work to be done.”
Besides the leadership of Carney, multiple athletes stood out this year for KSU.
Junior wide receiver and special teams ace Da’Realyst Clark became a sensation after a 91-yard, game-opening kick return against Massachusetts and a 100-yard game-winning kick return against Merrimack. Thanks to these performances and his consistent play, he earned the title of MAC Special Teams Player of the Year.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Dru DeShields also had himself a great season with 2,030 passing yards. After suffering three ACL tears throughout his career, DeShields finally got back onto the field and saw success as he led the team.
KSU had a great first season under Carney, but they look to 2026 to continue to build momentum.
Luke Nedved is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
