Gymnastics Opens Season With Loss At No. 24 Kentucky

Friday, January 8

Lexington, Ky.

7:00 PM

Ball State University

191.650

194.825

Kentucky

Gymnastics Opens Season With Loss At No. 24 Kentucky

January 09, 2016 | Gymnastics

By: Ball State Athletics

LEXINGTON, Ky. - - In front of a packed house in Memorial Coliseum, the Ball State gymnastics team opened the 2016 season with a 194.825 to 191.650 loss to national power and 24th-ranked Kentucky Friday evening in the Wildcats' Excite Night.

“The first meet is always good for getting out in front of the judges and shaking off some of those first competition jitters,” head coach Joanna Saleem said. “Unfortunately, our performance didn't reflect the way we have been training. This team has the most depth it's ever had, as well as an intense drive to perform. We need to take the passion and confidence we have in the practice gym and apply it to our gymnastics on the competition floor.”

Ball State opened the night with a 47.175 on the uneven bars, where Angela Durkac took seventh place with a score of 9.650. Kayla Beckler followed in eighth with a score of 9.525 and Miranda Kuehl scoring a 9.475 landing her in ninth.

On the vault, senior Erin Patchey and sophomore Jordyn Penny tied for third with a score of 9.800. Patchey successfully matched her career-high score, while Penny surpassed her previous career mark of 9.775.

The Cardinals carried their momentum to the floor exercise, where two-time defending Mid-American Conference floor exercise champion Denasiha Christian took second place with a score of 9.850. Patchey follow in fourth, with a mark of 9.775.

Ball State concluded the meet on the balance beam, where sophomore Baylee Bell tied for third with Wildcats senior Montana Whittle, both scoring 9.750.

The Cardinals return to action Sunday, Jan. 17, when it hosts Towson in its new home for the 2016 season, Worthen Arena. Admission to the meet is free.

“We need to show the crowd and the judges our gymnastics is natural and consistent,” Saleem continued. “Although that may have been lacking today, I have no doubt these girls will be ready to succeed at our next competition in Worthen Arena, because hard work pays off.”

For more news on Ball State gymnastics, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateGym, and @CoachSaleem.