The Kent State gymnastics team earned a score of 194.700 to finish fourth against No. 2 UCLA (197.500), No. 16 Nebraska (197.175) and No. 23 Iowa State (195.575) at the Masters Classic in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The best event for the Flashes was the floor routine, where they finished third out of the four teams competing. Senior Rachel Stypinksi came in fifth place, behind former Olympians Madison Kocian and Kyla Ross from UCLA.

Coach Brice Biggin was still very pleased with the team’s overall poise and performances.

“We didn’t have the best warmup,” Biggin said. “But when it came to the meet, we delivered and made a lot of routines.”

Stypinski finished as the highest scorer in every event for the Flashes. The all-American took fifth overall in the all-around.

Biggin was happy with the team as a whole and said the team competed much better than the scores they received.

“The scores seemed to be wildly inconsistent,” Biggin said.

The Flashes competed against some of the most highly ranked schools in the nation, one being No. 2 UCLA. Biggin said it was an experience they needed to compete with teams like that.

“It was really good,” Biggin said, “as far as an experience for us and being able to stay focused on ourselves and not worry about those teams.”

The Flashes will return home this week and take on MAC rival Bowling Green at 7 p.m. Friday at the M.A.C. Center.

Biggin said the team is always excited to be back at home in front of the crowd.

“I hope to just stay consistent in how we approach every meet,” Biggin said.

Libby Schrack is a sports reporter. Contact her at [email protected].