Friday, January 5
Lexington, KY
7:00 PM EST
Ball State University
194.475
at
196.075
University of Kentucky
Photo by: Kyle Crawford
Gymnastics Places Second in Opening Quad Meet
January 05, 2018 | Gymnastics
LEXINGTON, KY-- The Ball State gymnastics team finished second place at the season's opening quad meet hosted by Kentucky Friday night in Rupp Arena. The Wildcats finished first with a score of 196.075. The Cardinals trailed with a 194.475. George Washington finished third with a 193.775 while Southeast Missouri scored 189.675.
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"This was a great start to the season," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "The team handled the Rupp Arena atmosphere like serious athletes and I think that showed in our performances."
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The Cardinals opened the meet on beam earning a collective team score of 48.375. Freshman, Vicky Garcia set a personal record tying with senior Baylee Bell who notched a 9.725.
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On floor the team earned a 48.700 where Freshman Tia Kiaku placed third with a score of 9.850, setting another personal record for the night.
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On vault, Kaitlyn Menzione stood sixth with a score of 9.775.
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Moving into the final event the Cardinals held their second place standing trailing Kentucky. Maddie Macdonald earned a new personal record tying for first place on bars scoring a 9.850. Menzione claimed second with a 9.825 and Jordyn Penny took fourth with a 9.800.
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Menzione stood second in the all-around competition matching her personal record of 38.975.
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"Moving forward throughout the season, it is important that we aim to get better with each meet." Saleem stated. "George Washington is going to be competitive, especially in their home arena. We need to stay focused and do our gymnastics, striving to gain confidence and momentum each week."
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The Ball State gymnastics team will continue on the road Sunday, Jan. 14 to Washington, D.C., to rematch the George Washington Colonials in another quad competition with Cornell and U. Penn at 1 p.m. EST.
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For more news on Ball State gymnastics, follow @BalllStateSports, @BallStateGym, and @CoachSaleem.
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"This was a great start to the season," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "The team handled the Rupp Arena atmosphere like serious athletes and I think that showed in our performances."
Â
The Cardinals opened the meet on beam earning a collective team score of 48.375. Freshman, Vicky Garcia set a personal record tying with senior Baylee Bell who notched a 9.725.
Â
On floor the team earned a 48.700 where Freshman Tia Kiaku placed third with a score of 9.850, setting another personal record for the night.
Â
On vault, Kaitlyn Menzione stood sixth with a score of 9.775.
Â
Moving into the final event the Cardinals held their second place standing trailing Kentucky. Maddie Macdonald earned a new personal record tying for first place on bars scoring a 9.850. Menzione claimed second with a 9.825 and Jordyn Penny took fourth with a 9.800.
Â
Menzione stood second in the all-around competition matching her personal record of 38.975.
Â
"Moving forward throughout the season, it is important that we aim to get better with each meet." Saleem stated. "George Washington is going to be competitive, especially in their home arena. We need to stay focused and do our gymnastics, striving to gain confidence and momentum each week."
Â
The Ball State gymnastics team will continue on the road Sunday, Jan. 14 to Washington, D.C., to rematch the George Washington Colonials in another quad competition with Cornell and U. Penn at 1 p.m. EST.
Â
For more news on Ball State gymnastics, follow @BalllStateSports, @BallStateGym, and @CoachSaleem.
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Players Mentioned
BB, FX
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