Kent State misses chance for revenge

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As the NCAA Northeast Regionals headed into its final rotation, Kent State found itself in a position it was in at last year's regionals at Penn State.

In the 1996 Northeast Regionals, Kent State was on beam, while the Lady Lions were on floor. Penn State was behind but put up a 48.15 on its last event, while Kent State finished with a 47.575 on beam. Penn State won the regional with a 193.65-193.025 victory over Kent.

Now, the gymnasts of Kent State had their chance at redemption. This year, they posted a 48.25 on beam. Leslie Scott started the event with a 9.575, followed by Kristy High (9.625), Kelly Dezman (9.7), Michelle Naessing (9.725), Dani Roman (9.0) and Shannon Gallagher (9.625). However, that was not enough, as Penn State roared on its last rotation, bars, with a 49.075.

Naessing won the all-around with a score of 39.125 and finished tied for third on bars and tied for second on floor.

"I feel I performed up to my potential, and it finally paid off," she said. "I've been working for this all year. It's been my main goal, and I finally accomplished it and I'm looking forward to Florida."

Naessing, a senior, did not compete in the all-around at last year's regionals and felt that this year her team had a chance to win the region, but it just came up short.

"It was really disappointing," she said. "I knew that our team did the best they could, but the scores didn't reflect it."

She added that there was a sense a déjà vu Saturday, as Penn State came from behind to get past Kent State.

"It felt like we were reliving last year, and we did such a better job this year so that's why it hurts even more because we know we did better," Naessing said.

Ohio State had its chance to unseat the defending champions in its own arena. The Buckeyes had the competition in their hands as they approached the final rotation, floor. Unfortunately, the Buckeyes only recorded a team score of 48.125. Susan Eckman suffered a fall and finished with a 9.1, while Kelly Harper had a tough time on her exercise and received a 9.275.

Ohio State coach Larry Cox said floor has not been the team's weak event and felt his squad was confident coming into the rotation.

"Floor's been very solid, so it's not something they were nervous about at all," he said. "They were really excited. I think maybe when Susan broke they got a little bit nervous."

Just as Kent State has felt snakebitten at regionals, so have the Buckeyes. Ohio State has not been to the NCAA championships in six years and this season seemed like its best chance to go to Gainesville, Fla., for NCAAs. The Buckeyes led the region all year and had the home advantage Saturday.

"We were really trying hard this year to get back and even after leading the regions all year you feel like you took the opportunity away from yourself by messing up on floor," Cox said. "And you know what, you have to hit to go to nationals, so you're only as good as you're next meet."