The year 2016 proved to be a momentous 12 months for Rachel Stypinski, as the junior member of Kent State’s gymnastic team was named to the first-all MAC team and MAC gymnast of the year.

All of these achievements were done without her winning an all-around title at a meet. That drought is no more, as Stypinski used three top two finishes to help secure the all-around title at The Ohio State University quad meet on Saturday.

Home team No. 22 Ohio State took top honors with a team score of 195.800. The Buckeyes were followed by No. 11 University of Michigan (195.725) and the University of Washington (195.175). The Flashes (0-3) rounded out the teams, finishing with a team score of (192.975).

Stypinski won the individual bars with a score of 9.875, and she also managed to record second place finishes in both the floor (9.925) and the beam (9.875).

She went on to finish with a final score of 39.400 in the competition, which was 0.200 better than Washington’s junior Hailey Burleson.

The Flashes’ senior gymnasts had a strong day on the floor, as Jordan Hardison and Samantha Gordon tied for fifth with a score of 9.825, while Skyelee Lamano came in 10th place with a score of 9.800.

Junior Brooke Timko had a very good showing on the bars, finishing with a 9.825, which was good for third.

The Flashes open their MAC schedule when they take on Western Michigan University on Friday at the M.A.C Center at 7 p.m.

Henry Palattella is the sports editor, contact him at [email protected].