Ball State University Athletics
Gymnastics Opens Season Sunday at Illinois State
January 06, 2012 | Gymnastics
Ball State's women's gymnastics team, under the direction of fifth-year head coach Nadalie Walsh, will open the 2012 season with a 2 p.m. meet at Illinois State Sunday.
The Cardinals, who posted a 3-3 Mid-American Conference mark last season and placed fourth in the league, were picked to tie for fourth in the MAC Coaches Preseason Poll. The fourth place conference finish in 2011 marked the best placing for the team since the 2007 season. In addition, Ball State's three MAC wins marked the most league victories for the Cardinals since the 2002 campaign. Ball State managed a season high team score of 194.500 in a meet at MAC Champion Kent State a year ago, which was the 11th best team score in school history. In 2010, Ball State's season best team score of 193.925 was the highest for the program since the 2004 campaign.
In the last two seasons, Walsh has coached five individuals to appearances in the NCAA Central Regional. Nicole Allen and Brittney Emmons each qualified in the all-around in 2011, while Tiffany Brodbeck, Emmons and Bibiana Rodriguez all advanced in 2010.
Allen is the Cardinals top returnee in 2011 after placing 19th in the all-around at last year's NCAA Central Regional. Emmons, who is expected to miss the season due to a preseason injury, placed 15th in the all-around at the 2011 NCAA Central Regional.
Ball State will host Illinois State Fri., Jan. 13 in its first home meet of the season at 7 p.m. in Irving Gym on the Ball State campus.
