Kent State’s gymnastics team (2-1, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) found victory in Kalamazoo on Sunday against Western Michigan University, bringing them one step closer to consistency both home and away.   

Coach Brice Biggin said the team needed a win on the road.

“We need to keep gaining confidence so we can start competing away like we do at home,” Biggin said. “We are home this weekend, however, and that’s certainly a place where the girls have done very well.”

The team got off to a shaky start on the uneven bars, but outperformed Western Michigan with a score of 48.475-47.950.

Sophomore Ali Marrero led the Flashes in this event with a score of 9.775, putting her just behind first place, junior Jessie Peszek of the Broncos, who scored 9.800 for Western Michigan. This is the only event Kent State scored higher in as a team.

The Flashes moved on to vault, where they scored 48.475 points. They were ahead of the Broncos as they moved on to the floor exercise. 

Junior Skyelee Lamano’s floor routine earned the Flashes second place in the floor exercise with a score of 9.850. 

A few falls on beam created a tighter gap between Kent State and Western Michigan in the fourth rotation. Marrero had a strong performance following three falls by senior Nicolle Eastman.  

“Overall, I think the atmosphere was good. We kept up the noise and had fun,” Marrero said. “Toward the end, it got a little shaky, but we brought it back and I think we ended it really well.”

The Flashes are excited to be back at the M.A.C. Center at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Elise Kogelnik is the gymnastics beat reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected].