Gymnastics Adds Four Walk-Ons to the 2017-18 Roster
April 28, 2017 | Gymnastics
The Ball State gymnastics team is pleased to welcome four walk-on athletes to add to the program. Vicky Garcia, Tia Kiaku, Arden Hudson and Tori Long are four of the six freshman added to the Ball State roster for the upcoming season.
Vicky Garcia is a gymnast from Countryside Gymnastics under the coaching styles of Kris Sylvestri. Garcia will add to the all-around for the Cardinals. In 2016 Garcia placed sixth on vault and fifth on the uneven bars at level 10 regionals. She will graduate from Terry Sanford High School in hopes of adding to the Cardinal program.
"To be a part of NCAA gymnastics is a privilege many do not get to experience, and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. I am excited to compete for an amazing team that will become my family, and be a part of something bigger than myself. Go Cardinals."
Tia Kiaku hails from Apex, N.C. where she will graduate from Middle Creek High School. Kiaku trains under coaches Buddy Thornburn, Rob Travers and Tetiana Skrypnyk at High Point Gymnastics Academy. She claimed first place on floor at the 2017 level 10 regionals and sixth place respectively in the all-around competition.Â
"I am very excited and can't wait to be a part of an amazing gymnastics program and to work with the wonderful coaches and gymnasts of BSU."
Arden Hudson will join the Cardinal family from Doylestown, Penn., where she will graduate from Central Bucks East High School. Hudson trains under the coaching styles of Carla Ceralde at Central Bucks School of Gymnastics. She placed fourth on vault at the 2017 level 10 regionals. In 2016 Hudson took first place on beam and fifth place on bars at the level 10 regional competition.
"I am beyond excited to begin the next chapter of my life competing collegiate gymnastics and to belong to my new team at BSU! GO CARDS!"Â
Tori Long, from Yorktown, Ind. is coached by Misty Carpenter at Anderson Gymnastics. She placed second on vault and eighth on floor at the 2017 level 10 Ind. State competition. In 2016 she stood sixth on vault at level 10 regionals. Long will graduate from Yorktown High School and join the Cardinals this fall.
"I am so excited to be a part of the Cardinal gymnastics team. It's a growing program filled with a great atmosphere, and I can't wait to add to it!"
The other additions to the Ball State gymnastics team are Claudia Goyco and Brooke Johnson.
For more news on Ball State gymnastics, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateGym and @CoachSaleem on Twitter.