Sophomore gymnast has two possible leg stress fractures

Kent State’s gymnasts will try to end their disappointing performance on beam without the help of sophomore Christina Lenny, one of their top competitors in the event.

Trainers concluded after some practices this week that Lenny could possibly have two stress fractures, but this will not be determined for sure until after Lenny has a bone scan.

“The girls know that this is a bit of a disappointment for us, for our team,” Kent State coach Brice Biggin said. “But it’s also an opportunity for other athletes to get in there and show why they come to practice every day.”

Kent State traveled to Denver last Saturday to compete with Alaska-Anchorage, Winona State and No. 22 Denver. The team came home with a second-place finish and disappointed coaches.

“We are close to clicking on all cylinders, and hopefully we can put a meet together where we don’t have to count any falls,” assistant coach Thomas Ward said.

The Flashes had a good start on bars, winning the event with a score of 48.650 to Denver’s 48.475; however, they struggled on floor and once more on beam.

“I feel like we started off really, really strong on bars with eight hit routines,” senior Stacey Kalberg said. “But then once someone falls on the next event, which was beam for us, just the momentum kept going down and then it carried onto floor, where we had people stumble around a bit.”

Coaches and the team discussed performances during the past two meets at practice Monday and know that the gymnasts are capable of so much more.

“I just feel like we’re still right now in meets, not quite performing where we really should be,” Biggin said. “But in practice, they are a great practice team. They work hard in practice. They certainly put their effort in.”

The team spent more time on beam during practice, just as they did before the meet with Denver, and are hopeful that the more time they spend on it, the better they will be in competition.

“Beam is the one event where the more you’re up there, the more comfortable you get,” Biggin said.

Last time the Flashes met the Falcons they won with a score of 194.825 to 188.475. Biggin looks to continue the winning streak but knows that Bowling Green is a strong team, especially at home.

“We certainly don’t look at them as a team that you don’t ever have to be concerned about,” Biggin said. “They are going to feel the same way we do at home. We don’t like people coming in and beating us.”

Contact gymnastic reporter Pamela Crimbchin at [email protected].