Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
MAC Championships
Gymnastics Fifth at MAC Championship
March 28, 2010 | Gymnastics
The No. 24 Central Michigan Chippewas claimed the top team prize from defending MAC champions Kent State with a 195.60.
Senior Bibiana Rodriguez (San Juan, Puerto Rico) led the Cardinals' charge with a 9.8 performance on the uneven bars, which earned her the silver medal. Rodriguez won the uneven bars title last year with a 9.85 and qualified for the Central Regional meet. Before Saturday's meet, Rodriguez was tied for 19th in the Central Region with a 9.795 Regional Qualifying Score on the event.
Brittney Emmons (Pace, Fla.) also turned in strong performances for Ball State and posted team high scores on vault, floor and in the all-around. The sophomore's all-around score, 38.850, led to her selection to the All-MAC Second Team.
Ball State was in fourth place on the leader board with a 48.250 at the end of the first rotation, which they began on the floor exercise. Emmons posted the highest score, 9.8, of the Cardinal line-up, which tied her for 10th place in the meet. Going into the Championship, Emmons was ranked seventh in the Central Region and 43rd in the country with an RQS of 9.860 on floor.
Scoring a 9.725, Tiffany Brodbeck (Palm Harbor, Fla.) posted the second highest score for the Cardinals and, going into the meet, was tied for 17th place in the Central Region with an RQS of 9.82. Also contributing to Ball State's floor score was Nicole Allen (Buford, Ga.), 9.65, Amber Parsley (Hilliard, Ohio), 9.575, and Megan Howard (Jacksonville, Fla.), 9.50.
After the first rotation, Kent State led the meet with a 48.925.
Next, the Cardinals rotated to vault where they scored a 48.125 and were led by Emmons 9.775 on the event. Emmons' score saw her in a four-way tie for ninth place. Following vault, the Cardinals dropped to sixth place in the team competition with a two-event combined total of 96.375.
The next event - uneven bars - showcased Ball State's best performances of the meet. Sticking a perfect six out of six dismounts, the Cardinals posted a 48.425 on the event. Two Cardinals, Rodriguez, who scored a 9.8, and Julie Cotter (Orefield, Pa.), scoring a 9.75, made the podium placing second and fifth, respectively.
Going into their last rotation - balance beam - the Cardinals were in fifth place behind Central Michigan, Kent State, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan.
Counting zero falls and amassing a team score of 48.3 on beam, Ball State's final four competitors all posted scores of 9.675. The score trend was started by Emily Wehrle (New London, Wis.) and continued through Katelyn Busacker (Lavista, Neb.), Emmons and Cotter.
Ball State has three competitors - Brodbeck, Emmons and Rodriguez - who have a chance to qualify to the Central Regional meet. Qualification will be confirmed Monday.
Ball State, in year three of head coach Nadalie Walsh's rebuilding process, tallied six wins this year which is the most since the 2003 season for the Cardinals.
