Ball State University
Northern Illinois
Gymnastics Places Second on the Road
February 20, 2016 | Gymnastics
DEKALB, Ill.-- The Ball State gymnastics team placed second with a score of 194.775 during tri-meet hosted by Northern Illinois (194.900) with Seattle Pacific (193.900).
"We had so many great things happen this evening," said head coach Joanna Saleem. "We started the meet off strong on bars with solid performances. After beam, we were under some competitive pressure, but this team came to compete. In the face of adversity we were able to wrap up the meet on our strongest events, vault and floor. Many members of the team were able to break personal records, which I and the whole coaching staff is very proud of."
The Cardinals matched their record book first place event score against Northern Illinois in 2015 on vault scoring a 49.100. On bars the team earned a new season high of 49.025. The Cardinals managed 47.575 on beam, and on floor they matched their season high of 49.075.
The team started the competition on bars. Madison Howell scored a career high with a 9.800. Jordyn Penny, Kayla Beckler and Katie Honarmand all tied for sixth place scoring a 9.825. For Honarmand this score ranks as a personal best. Beckler matches her career high from the competition against Western Michigan.
The Cardinals continued to beam where Penny scored a career high of 9.775 earning her second place. Sydney Finke placed fourth with a score of 9.700.
Denasiha Christian continues to defend her floor champion title scoring a 9.900. Ebeyer placed fifth with a 9.850.
Christian performed a career high vault scoring a 9.975, earning her a second place ranking in the Ball State record book, along with the vault title for the night. Sarah Ebeyer stood second with a score of 9.875 also scoring a personal best. Clare Collins also earned a career high scoring a 9.750.
"We have worked really hard on our landing in the gym this week and to watch Sarah and Denasiha do so well on their vaults especially under pressure was really something special," Saleem said. "Unfortunately it wasn't quite enough to pull off a win. It's bittersweet to finish second, but this group of young ladies didn't give up. They fought through the entire meet and that is really something exciting to see. We have been very close in competition to all the MAC schools we have competed against this season. I think the MAC championship is going to be a very competitive and exciting meet."
The Cardinals return home to Worthen Arena Sunday, February 28, to host Bowling Green at 1 P.M. ET.
For more news on Ball State gymnastics, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateGym, and @CoachSaleem on Twitter.
Players Mentioned
