Osmer’s routine secures Kent State a conference crown

Becca Osmer said she never felt the magnitude of the moment.

Part of that is because the Kent State University junior gymnast was unaware of just how big it was.

For over a week, Golden Flashes coach Brice Biggin had been getting the Buhach Colony grad mentally prepared to go last at the Mid-American Conference Championships. If all went to plan, Kent State’s 12th MAC gymnastics crown would be on the line with Osmer stepping up to the uneven bars.

Osmer was so zoned in to producing the best routine possible, she had no idea just how according to plan things had gone. The Golden Eagles held a slim lead over rival Central Michigan going into the day’s final rotation. The 25-year-old, who had fought back from four left knee surgeries and one on each ankle, turned in a career-best 9.90 to capture the uneven bars individual title and secure Kent State the conference crown by a mere tenth of a point (196.375 to 196.275).

“The whole day was kind of surreal,” Osmer said. “Everybody was so focused and determined, it was like we were the only team there. I was so in my own head, I had no idea where we were in the standings. I didn’t know that Central Michigan’s girl had fallen twice on the balance beam and that we’d taken the lead going into my routine.

“Most of it is honestly a blur. I remember when my coach helped me up. I caught the bar funny and had to quickly readjust my grip, but beyond that I just remember thinking I had to go big. I went aggressive for major release and my secondary release. I’d visualized my dismount a thousand times over the last week, so there was no doubt I was going to stick it.”

Osmer said she took a moment to compose herself, gave a quick bow and then a fist pump to the home crowd.

“I felt like I’d nailed it, but I didn’t know we’d won until I saw the score. It was a pretty awesome moment. Some of the crowd was chanting KSU, KSU, while others were saying 10, 10. Some of my teammates were teary eyed, some were jumping and shouting.

“We had a pretty disappointing season. We’re missing out on regionals for the first time in a long time. But coach Brice kept telling us if we won the MAC Tournament title, it would take some of the sting out of it. He was right.”

Kelsie Monroe

The former Los Banos ace has found a home at Cal State Bakersfield. Monroe won her eighth game of the season Tuesday, tossing a no-hitter against Cal Poly. It was the Roadrunners’ first non-combined no-hitter since the program made the jump to Division I in 2007. Monroe leads the staff with an 8-5 record and 2.45 ERA in a team-high 15 starts and 19 appearances.

Daulton Jefferies

Jefferies was settling in to his second season as Cal’s ace when an injury sidelined him. The Buhach Colony alum was 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA and a team-high 29 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings, but hasn’t thrown since March 6. Cal is 18-5 and ranked 21st in the nation.

Ashley Smith

The Merced High grad always knew how to set a table and has seamlessly shifted in as Portland State’s leadoff batter and starting shortstop. Smith is second on the team with a .333 batting average, has seven stolen bases and leads the Vikings with five doubles and 15 runs scored in 23 starts.

Chelsea Evans

After using the first few games to get adjusted to life at the Division I level, Evans has forced her way into the Stony Brook lineup. The former Merced star has seen time at third base and shortstop, playing in the Seawolves’ last 12 games and starting in 11 straight. The freshman is hitting .345 with a home run and five RBIs.

Tori Johnson

Johnson is the iron horse of Dominican University softball. The junior has started every game of her three-year career (132 straight) and continues to produce. The Golden Valley grad is third on the team with a .329 batting average and leads the Penguins with 15 runs scored.

This story was originally published March 25, 2015 at 10:08 PM with the headline "Osmer’s routine secures Kent State a conference crown."