Ball State University
Central Michigan
Gymnastics Falls Short Against Central Michigan
January 31, 2016 | Gymnastics
MT. PLEASANT, Mich.-- The Ball State gymnastics team fell short to Mid American Conference rival Central Michigan with a 195.175 - 194.575 loss Sunday afternoon at McGuirk Arena.
"I'm really proud of this team," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "They did what I asked them to do today. We had great energy and a solid gymnastics performance overall. It was a great experience on the competition floor."
The Cardinals scored a season high of 194.575. The team matched its season's event high on vault (48.700), and managed a season high event total on bars (48.550) and beam (48.650).
The competition started on bars, where sophomore Jordyn Penny scored a career high of 9.900 earning her second place. Penny now holds a third place standing in the Ball State uneven bar record book.
On vault Denasiha Christian took the event title with a score of 9.800. Penny placed third with a 9.750. Sarah Ebeyer and Erin Patchey tied for fifth with scores of 9.725.
Going into the third event the Cardinals trailed the Chippewa's 97.475 - 97.250. Christian placed fourth with a 9.825 and Ebeyer followed in fifth with a score of 9.750.
The team concluded the meet on the balance beam. Kayla Beckler and Baylee Bell tied for third place, both scoring 9.800. Penny took fourth with a 9.775.
"Central Michigan is a very difficult team to beat when it's their home arena, and we were neck in neck throughout the entire meet," Saleem stated. "Our team never gave up and most importantly, they kept their focus. This is how we want to be performing over the next few weeks and into March."
The Cardinals will continue on the road Saturday, February 6, when the team travels to Kalamazoo, Mich. to take on the Western Michigan Broncos, at 4 p.m. ET.
For more news on Ball State gymnastics, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateGym, and @CoachSaleem on Twitter.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
Players Mentioned
