Gymnasts earn first MAC win

Amanda Vasil

The Kent State gymnastics team pulled out its first Mid-American Conference win of the season against Ball State Friday 187.375-184.275.

Leading the Flashes was sophomore Jill Kowalski, as she recorded her first all-around title of her career scoring 38.025 over Ball State’s (0-4, 0-3 MAC) Kelly Watson who finished second with 37.725.

Kowalski also grabbed top-five finishes on the balance beam, uneven bars and vault events. She placed first on the beam with a score of 9.600, second on the bars with a score of 9.525 and third on the vault with a score of 9.550.

Other first place finishes came from sophomore Kristin Peters and senior Carrie Mayle. Peters finished with 9.700 points on the bars, while Mayle edged Ball State’s Erika Gilkerson with 9.700 points on the floor.

The Flashes saw 10 other top-five finishes in the meet, including a second place finish from sophomore Amy Presan on the beam. Her 9.550 finish became a new season-best for her. Freshman Laci Hendress saw her first top-five finish of her career, tying for fifth place on the floor with a score of 9.475.

Kent State (2-2, 1-1 MAC) will continue its road travels this weekend as it heads to Washington, D.C. to compete against George Washington. The meet is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Sunday.