Ball State University
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Western Michigan
Gymnastics Defeated by Western Michigan in MAC Opener
January 10, 2010 | Gymnastics
The final score was Ball State 187.425 to Western Michigan's 189.2.
The Cardinals began the meet on uneven bars with a 46.375, while the Broncos notched a 47.35 on vault. Katelyn Busacker led the Cardinal charge on bars tying Western's Meghan Donovan for first place with a 9.7.
"Katelyn has come an extremely long way on bars," Ball State head coach Nadalie Walsh says. "I am very proud of how hard she has worked to get here for herself, but more importantly, for her team."
While Ball State swept the medal stand and posted a 47.65 on vault, Western Michigan kept its lead following the second rotation earning a 47.675 on uneven bars. Ball State's Brittney Emmons and Nicole Allen tied for first with a 9.7 and Tiffany Brodbeck placed third with a 9.6.
"Brittney and Tiffany hitting three of their events today was huge for the team," Walsh said. "Their hard work in the gym was evident today."
Emmons' leading score of 9.775 on floor exercise in the third rotation helped the Cardinals to post a team score of 47.55 on the event. The Broncos tallied a 45.925 on balance beam.
Headed into its last event, balance beam, Ball State held a 0.625 lead over Western.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, who counted four falls on beam and tallied a 45.85, Western Michigan's Kristine Garbarino and Liz Prouty turned in 9.775 and 9.75 performances, respectively, to help the Broncos solidify their highest event score of the meet, 48.25.
Tiffany Brodbeck highlighted the Cardinals' beam line-up posting a 9.425 and earned third place behind Western's Garbarino and Sarah Wright who eared first and second, respectively.
"Despite the final numbers, there were a lot of positive things that came out of this meet - increased team unity, growing confidence from our freshmen and the strength of our vault line-up," Walsh said. "Now we have to work on consistency and execution to be able to come out on top."
The Cardinals' next meet is a quad-competition against New Hampshire, Utah State and Yale, Jan. 17 in Durham, N.H. Ball State will host its first home event of the season Jan. 24 when it hosts its own Cardinal Classic at Worthen Arena. Joining Ball State at its own Cardinal Classic will be Southeast Missouri State and Illinois-Chicago.
Players Mentioned
