Stypinski named MAC Gymnast of the Week
Kent State junior gymnast Rachel Stypinski was named MAC gymnast of the week Tuesday after a dominant individual performance at the Ohio State University on Saturday.
Saturday was the first time Stypinski won an all-around title in her collegiate career, as she finished with a total score of 39.400. She also won in the individual bars (9.875) and placed second in both the individual floor (9.925) and beam (9.875).
“Rachel obviously had a fabulous day on all four events,” Gymnastics Coach Brice Biggin said in a Facebook Live interview with Kent State Athletics. “We just need everyone else to feed off of her positive attitude and do what they’re capable of doing.”
Stypinski won MAC gymnast of the year in 2016 and has nothing left to prove. She not only won MAC gymnast of the week, she did so competing in the all-around event for the second time in her career.
“I just want to stay consistent,” Stypinski said in the Facebook Live video. “My first two years I was really hit or miss, but this year I’m trying to make sure that I’m one that everyone can depend on and hit when we need a good routine.”
The level of competition is what makes Stypinski’s performance most impressive, as the junior was the top individual performer in a competition that had two top-25 teams in Ohio State and Michigan.
Stypinski and the Flashes face off with the Western Michigan Broncos to open up their MAC schedule on Friday at 7 p.m. in the M.A.C. Center.