4 Former bees led Kent to Unexpected berth at Championships by Matt leavitt Not only was Kent State University the predetermined host of the 2011 NCAA Gymnastic Championships at the Wolstein Center, but its gymnastics team also played the role of surprise guest as championship qualifiers. What’s more, senior co-captains and former Bees Christina Lenny and Christine Abou-Mitri contributed to the Golden Flashes’ fairytale first-ever trip to the NCAA Championships. To qualify for their championship return trip home, Kent finished second at the NCAA Regional Championships, beating out Big Ten schools Ohio State and Minnesota. Individually at regionals, Lenny finished second in her main event, the all-around competition, and tied for second in the floor exercise. She also tied for fourth in the vault and the balance beam. Former Bee teammate Abou-Mitri tied for 14th on the floor exercise and uneven bars. She also finished 19th on the balance beams. According to Lenny, the former all-state Brecksville gymnast, a team needs to be “really on” to become one of just 12 teams to qualify for the NCAA Championships. As the two former state champions arrived at the Wolstein Center for the NCAA Championships, they were overwhelmed by the local fan support of family and friends. Even though the Golden Flashes did not advance to the “Super Six” of the national championships, Kent finished with its highest ranking ever of its gymnastic program, as they were ranked 12th www.pranayogaanddance.com in the country. Lenny was pleased with her Wolstein Center showing. “I am happy with my performance. I was .05 short of becoming an All-American, but I’m pleased with my performance,” stated the 2011 MAC Gymnast of the year. Lenny finished 17th overall in the all-around competition, ninth in the floor exercise, tied for 21st place on the vault and tied for 24th M11, V54 FORMER BEES place in the uneven bar at the National Championships. The 2010 MAC Gymnast of the year, Abou-Mitri, finished in ninth place in the floor championships at the NCAA Championships. Kent State Head Gymnastic Coach Brice Biggin credited the senior co-captains for their year-end trip to the Cleveland State University campus. “The two of them had phenomenal regional meets. They were a big reason that we made it to the national championships,” he stated. Biggin believes that Bees will continue to be drawn to the KSU gymnastic program due to his good relationship with the Brecksville-Broadview Heights program. Lenny credits the Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School Gymnastic program and coaches Ron and Joan Ganim for The beauty of yoga is anyone can do it! Beginners-Advanced Classes 7 Days A Week / Day & Evening Drop-Ins Welcome Classes on-going: Choose the class that fits your needs and schedule New Classes Added: Kids Yoga, Yoga Fusion, Yoga Core, Yoga/Pilates ZUMBA, Meditiation and Beginners Yoga Workshop, and much more. Join us at our new location! More Space, More Classes! 7976 Broadview Road • Suite 106 • Broadview Hts., Ohio 216-346-1246 Christine Abou-Mitri contributed to the Golden Flashes’ fairytale first-ever trip to the NCAA Championships. establishing a “team first” attitude that is crucial in collegiate gymnastics. The former Bee, who won state championships for the Bees from 2004-2007, believes that Kent State’s gymnastic program will attract more Bee gymnasts in the future due to the close proximity of the school to the Brecksville-Broadview Heights area and its recent success in the NCAA Tournament. Brecksville-Broadview Heights Gymnastic Coach Ron Ganim was beyond proud that two of his former pupils made it to the NCAA Championships, but their accomplishment did not catch him offguard. “They have the dedication and have trained five days a week, all-year long since they were 10 years old,” he said. As Ganim coached the pair in high school, he believed that Lenny and Abou- Mitri would achieve success at the collegiate level. He quickly pointed out that their collegiate accomplishments belonged to them, and them alone, and all the Bee gymnastic program did was point them in the right direction. Both Lenny and Abou-Mitri will graduate this spring as criminal justice majors. Lenny does not have any immediate gymnastic plans after graduating from Kent, but believes she may pass on her all-around, vault, beam and floor exercise knowledge through teaching gymnastics at a later date. Perhaps at that time she may share her gymnastic story with the unexpected ending with her students. ∞ The Brecksville <strong>Magazine</strong>, July 2011
The Brecksville <strong>Magazine</strong>, July 2011 5