Kent State gymnastics scored its second-highest score of the season, but still fell to Western Michigan on Sunday. 

Coach Brice Biggin said the team did better than the last meet and they are moving forward in a positive direction. The Flashes rose from 40th in the country into the top 36.

“We actually did a really good job,” Biggin said. “It’s one of our highest away scores. The big thing is that we wanted to see them compete while away from home, be more confident on beam. I’m very pleased. I thought we did what we needed to do.”

On floor exercise, freshman Karlie Franz recorded a career-high 9.900 and got second place. All five Flashes scored above 9.850: Abby Fletcher and Jade Brown both tied for fourth place scoring a 9.875. 

“I just wanted to go out there and do it for my team and I had so much fun and it was just so magical,” Franz said. 

Fletcher scored a season-high 9.850 and won the individual beam title. 

“Abby and Jade had a really good niche, it was a good week for them,” Biggin said.

Freshman Rachel DeCavitch tied for first on bars and tied her career-high of 9.875. DeCavitch also won the all-around competition at 39.175. Senior Sammi Nero tied a career-high 9.775. 

“It feels really good,” DeCavitch said. “I have been working hard on bars and it’s one of my favorite events to compete, so it feels good being able to go out and get my career high.”

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