Freshman gymnast ends season at NCAA Gymnastics Regionals

Kent State freshman Michaela Romito looks for the bar during her uneven bars routine on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, at the M.A.C. Center. Kent State lost to Central Michigan, 195.325-196.400.

Kent State freshman Rachel Stypinski ended her season with two performances at the NCAA Gymnastics Regionals competition in Columbus on Saturday.

She competed individually at Ohio State University’s St. John Arena as Kent State’s team failed to qualify for the regional competition.

Stypinski started the competition with a 9.900 on the floor exercise to finish in a seven-way tie for second place. The overall winner, Samantha Peszek of the University of California, Los Angeles, outscored Stypinski and the other six gymnasts by a quarter of a tenth of a point (0.025) with a score of 9.925 to 9.900.

She sat out until the fifth rotation and then tied for 13th on the balance beam. She walked away with a score of 9.800.

“I went out there and did the best that I could,” Stypinski said. “It wasn’t the result I wanted, but it was a great experience. Next season, I am looking for our whole team to make it to regionals and hopefully nationals. I am excited to see what the future holds.”

Kent State’s coach Brice Biggin said he was proud of Stypinski’s performance.

“I am so proud of the way Rachel competed and handled herself,” Biggin said. “I am looking forward to seeing what she brings to this team in the future.”

The Flashes were the 2015 Mid-American Conference tournament champions and ended the season with a record of 13-7.

“The biggest thing I have learned is that one person does not make a team,” Stypinski said. “Together as a team, we can do great things and individuals doing well only help the team, not make the team. Coming from club (teams), it was very individual, but the transition to college and the team experience was great.”

Contact Megan McEldowney at [email protected].