Winter break provides little rest for KSU sports teams

Although school hasn’t been in session for more than a month, Kent State’s sports teams have been at work over the winter break. For those of you who may have missed it, here is an update on how each team is performing in its respective season so far:

Team: Men’s basketball

Record: 10-7 (1-2)

Last game: Bowling Green (L 76-70)

Next: Tomorrow vs. Buffalo

Looking forward: After a 10-5 start, including a win in the team’s Mid-American Conference opener against Ohio, the Flashes have lost their past two games and face MAC leader Buffalo tomorrow night at the M.A.C. Center. The team has four players averaging at least 10 points per game, with sophomore forward Justin Greene leading the team with 13 points per game.

Team: Women’s basketball

Record: 9-7 (2-2)

Last game: Bowling Green (L 89-61)

Next: Tonight vs. Buffalo

Looking forward: The Kent State women started conference play 2-0 with wins over Ohio and Miami but have lost their last two games. Junior forward Taisja Jones leads the team with 13.6 points per game. The team continues a four-game conference home stand tonight vs. Buffalo.

Team: Wrestling

Record: 11-3 (ranked 15th in the nation)

Last game: No. 8 Maryland (L 24-16)

Next: Friday at Northern Illinois

Looking forward: The No. 15 Flashes started the season 11-1, losing only to nationally ranked Penn State. After shutting out Ashland 47-0, the team lost its next two meets, including one to No. 8 Maryland. The Flashes start conference meets this weekend looking to defend their 2009 MAC title.

Team: Track and Field

Record: N/A

Last game: Doug Raymond Invitational

Next: Friday vs. Akron

Looking forward: After more than a month of rest, the track team had multiple top-five finishers at the Doug Raymond Invitational last weekend. For the men, Curtis Eaton Jr., Colin Pettiford, Scott Hilditch, Aiman Scullion, Kenneth Agee and Derek Hopkins took first-place honors, while Audrey Maheu, Nicole Honsaker and Effua Ampadu won for the women. The Flashes host Akron this Friday in a dual meet.

Team: Gymnastics

Record: 1-1

Last game: Pittsburgh (W), West Virginia (L)

Next: Friday vs. Eastern Michigan

Looking forward: The Kent State gymnastics team finished on both ends of close matchups last Saturday with a narrow 190.625-190.550 win against Pittsburgh and a 192.425-190.625 loss to West Virginia. Kent State hosts its MAC opener against Eastern Michigan on Friday.

Contact sports editor Cody Francis at [email protected].