Kent State’s gymnastics team (17-5 overall, 6-0 MAC) defended its 2008 MAC Championship by scoring 194.500 points to win the 2009 MAC Championship at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana on Saturday (3/21).
The Golden Flashes edged out Central Michigan (194.350) to win back-to-back conference titles. KSU is the first conference team to win back-to-back championships since the Chippewas accomplished the feat in 2003 and 2004.
Senior Laci Hendress (Wolcott, Ind./Tri County) and junior Lydia Barrett (Rochester, N.Y./Penfield) tied with two others for top honors on floor to earn All-MAC First Team accolades to continue the Golden Flashes’ streak of having at least two all-conference first team honorees for five straight seasons. Sophomore Christina Lenny (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) earned second team honors.
Kent State opened the conference championship meet on vault and scored a 49.075. Lenny led the way with a score of 9.925 to finish second overall. Classmate Christine Abou-Mitri (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) and junior Brittany Kopp (Cleveland, Ohio/Holy Name) each scored a 9.825 to place second on the Flashes.
The Flashes followed with a score of 48.800 on bars to take a 1.500 lead over second-place Northern Illinois after two rotations. Barrett’s score of 9.800 on bars paced the Flashes.
Beam proved to be a challenge for Kent State as two Flashes fell during their routines and KSU’s advantage had nearly disappeared. Kopp and freshman Kristina Arcury (Williamsville, N.Y./Willamsville South) tied for the top score (9.725) for the Flashes.
Kent State closed out the meet on the Golden Flashes’ strongest event, floor. KSU entered the weekend ranked first in the MAC and 13th nationally with an RQS of 49.110. The Flashes needed every bit of their experience as they put together a score 49.025 to secure the victory.
2009 Freshman of the Year
Kristin Teubner CMU
2009 Specialist of the Year
Kyla Krygier, CMU
2009 Senior Gymnast of the Year
Jennifer Naughton, NIU
2009 Gymnast of the Year
Holly Reichard, NIU
2009 Co-Coaches of the Year
Brice Biggin (KSU) and Jerry Reichard (CMU)
Vault
1. Katie Simon, CMU
2. Christina Lenny, KSU
3. Kristin Teubner, CMU
4. Holly Reichard, NIU
Christine About-Mitri, KSU
Andrea Perini, WMU
Jennifer Naughton, NIU
Brittany Kopp, KSU
Bars
1. Katie Simon, CMU
Bibiana Rodriguez, BSU
3. Holly Reichard, NIU
Lydia Barrett, KSU
5. Stacey Kalberg, KSU
Kyla Krygier, CMU
Beam
1. Holly Reichard, NIU
Jennifer Naughton, NIU
3. Breanne Guy, BGSU
Shonda Clore, NIU
5. Brittany Kopp, KSU
Kristina Arcury, KSU
Floor
1. Katie Simon, CMU
Lydia Barrett, KSU
Kristin Teubner, CMU
Laci Hendress, KSU
5. Holly Reichard, NIU
Kristine Garbarino, WMU
Jennifer Naughton, NIU
Rachel Stuck, KSU
All-Around
1. Katie Simon, CMU
2. Holly Reichard, NIU
3. Jessica Neel, CMU
Breanne Guy, BGSU
5. Christina Lenny, KSU
6. Kristine Garbarino, WMU
All-MAC First Team
Katie Simon, CMU
Bibiana Rodriguez, BSU
Holly Reichard, NIU
Jennifer Naughton, NIU
Lydia Barrett, KSU
Kristin Teubner, CMU
Laci Hendress, KSU
All-MAC Second Team
Jessica Neel, CMU
Breanne Guy, BGSU
Christina Lenny, KSU
Team Finishes
1. KSU 194.500
2. CMU 194.375
3. NIU 192.700
4. BGSU 192.425
5. EMU 191.675
BSU 191.675
7. WMU 190.075