For the first time since 2002, the Kent State gymnastics team fell to Western Michigan with a close score of 192.650-191.425.

The Broncos (2-2, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) won every event except the bars, which the Flashes (1-1, 1-2 MAC) took 48.350-48.075. Three Flashes placed in the top five of the event. Sophomore Kristin Peters led with a score of 9.825. Sophomore Jill Kowalski and junior Shawntelle Thompson placed fourth and fifth with scores of 9.725 and 9.675, respectively.

Senior Carrie Mayle placed third in the all-around with a 38.225 behind Western Michigan’s Cherisse Marier and Heather Carroll, who finished with scores of 39.100 and 38.475, respectively.

Mayle still managed to walk away with two first place finishes on both the vault, in which she finished with a score of 9.775, and the balance beam. Mayle tied Western Michigan’s Andrea Perini on the beam with 9.750 points, followed by junior Amy Cucinotta who tied for third place with Marier with 9.725 points.

Cucinotta led the Flashes on the floor, finishing second with a score of 9.775. Kowalski tied for fourth place with Carroll, scoring 9.700 points.

Mayle is ranked No. 60 nationally in the all-around, with an average score of 38.325, ahead of Carroll and Marier, who rank No. 64 and No. 65, respectively. Peters ranks No. 35 on the uneven bars with a personal best of 9.825. On the beam, Western Michigan’s Jennifer Sturgis, who was recently honored as MAC specialist of the week, ranks No. 31 the with 9.825.

Kent State faces Ball State in the Cardinal Classic at 7 p.m. Friday in Muncie, Ind.

– Amanda Vasil