After being named Mid American Conference gymnast of the week on Jan. 22, Rachel DeCavitch continued her success with a first place tie in the balance beam event with a score of 9.825. 

The freshman gymnast’s second place finish in the uneven parallel bars event with a score of 9.825 and second place in vault event with a score of 9.850, led to the Flashes third-straight win. 

“I know our team came in with a lot of energy and we are ready to compete today. So, um, that helped me build up my energy and help me do what I need to do to help the team,” DeCavitch said. 

DeCavitch led in all-around scoring with an over finish of 39.325. Kent State defeated George Washington University 196.050 to 194.900. 

“So we know that whole freshman class has been great, but they’re getting set up by the people around them,” coach Brice Biggin said. “And that’s so important for them to be successful too, because it kind of takes the pressure up and they can a lot just go out there and do a great routine. But we felt very confident that this freshman class could do what they are right now.” 

Freshman gymnast Karlie Franz came in second in all-around scoring after being named MAC gymnast of the week on Jan.29th. Franz finished with an overall score of 38.325. She tied for third for the vault event with fellow Flash, Jade Brown. Franz and Brown both had a score of 9.800.

“Jade Brown, who is a senior, is competing phenomenally. She has been so steady almost all year. We look to her to be one of those to be a leader,” Biggin said.

Despite GW having two first place finishes, vault and a three-way tie for balance beam, the Colonials fell short. Deja Chambliss placed first in vault with a score of 9.875. 

The Flashes had the most success with their floor routine against the Colonials. Kent State had five Flashes in the top five of the event with Nasha Manitkul-Davis and Brown tying for first. The two gymnasts received a 9.925 score for their floor routine. 

Kent State gymnastics next meet will be Friday Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. at the M.A.C. Center against Cornell University.

Contact Amanda Levine at [email protected].