The Kent State gymnastics team will head to the Mid-American Conference Championship on Saturday looking to build off a strong season.

Coach Brice Biggin is optimistic about the meet despite heading in with a younger team. 

“It is the culmination of the season,” Biggin said. “What we’re trying to get the youth to understand is we can’t try harder, we have to do the same routines they have been doing all year that have been successful. There are seven teams and someone’s going to hit a really good meet, hopefully it’s us.”

The Flashes have struggled recently on the beam, vault and bars. 

“We’ve had a few meets that have been a little bit tougher, but I think it’s honestly motivated us even more,” sophomore Abby Fletcher said. “our practices this week have been great and we’re trying to just keep it easy and not really overthink it and just go into it like every other meet we’ve had a lot of great meets this year and as long as we can just do what we do, I really think we have a great chance.” 

Senior Dara Williams’s goal is to set a good role model for her fellow teammates. Williams has helped the team’s scores on value and bars this season. Williams was named to the All-Conference Second Team. 

“I feel good,” she said. “As a senior you want to lead by example and give the girls something positive to look forward to in the gym, whether they’re having a bad day or having a great day. Just want to make sure you’re adding that good energy every day.”

Fletcher has been a standout performer for the team this year on the floor exercise.

“It’s been a long season and a long time coming and I feel like everyone’s really excited and I feel like we are really prepared,” Fletcher said. “Everyone’s excited and I think the excitement is really helping us and motivating us.”

The Flashes’ strategy to prepare and to win the meet is to stay calm during practice and when competing. 

“If they start to overthink now, then they’re not going to do what’s made them successful this year.” Biggin said. “They have to relax and go in there and work as a team and stay confident and what they’ve been doing.”

The Confrence Championships start on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Sara Al Harthi is a sports reporter. Contact her at [email protected].