After a victorious non-conference meet against Rutgers last weekend, the Kent State gymnastics team is looking to continue their winning streak by taking down conference rival Central Michigan.

“[Central Michigan is] having a good season,” Flashes coach Brice Biggin said. “They’re going to be a very good team coming in here. We know we’re going to have to be at our best. We’re expecting a dog fight.”

The team’s last win against their rival was in 2010 with a score of 194.250 – 193.925. The past two years, the Flashes fell to the Chippewas by a less than a one point margin. This year, the team is looking to break their losing streak.

“It’s not that we’re not ready,” assistant coach Craig Ballard said. “It’s not that we can’t do the skills. It’s not that we can’t hit the routines. I think it’s a little bit of a mental thing. We’re going to have to work through that this week.”

The team continued to be plagued by the beam at last week’s home meet, recording two falls and the lowest overall score of all four events.

Junior Marie Case continued her standout performance once again by taking first in the All Around for the third week in a row with a score of 39.200. Case also tied for first with senior Lindsay Runyan in the beam with a score of 9.825 and tied for first with freshman Katlin Isaacs on the floor with a score of 9.850. This week, she was also awarded her third MAC Gymnast of the Week.

“Obviously Marie Case has been the consistent glue that’s basically held us together,” Biggin said. “When we need someone to go out there and throw a big routine she’s been there all year for us. For her to capture her third gymnast of the week [title], we’re certainly not surprised.”

ABOUT CENTRAL MICHIGAN

Central Michigan is coming off a win over Northern Illinois with a score of 194.800. While the team was victorious over Northern Illinois, their performance dropped their national ranking down three spots to No. 24. Brittany Petzold, one of the team’s best gymnasts, is currently ranked nationally at No. 47, which is the team’s highest ranking.

The Flashes’ top performer, Marie Case, is currently ranked 25th in the nation.

UP NEXT

The Flashes will travel to Northern Illinois to compete against the Huskies at 5 p.m. Feb. 23 at the NIU Convocation Center.

Contact Lily Flynn at [email protected].