Ball State University Athletics
Cardinals Host the MAC Championships
March 17, 2016 | Gymnastics
MUNCIE, Ind.-- Following an exciting regular season, the Ball State gymnastics team hosts the 2016 Mid-American Conference Championships Saturday, Mar. 19 at 2 p.m. in Worthen Arena. This is the sixth time that Ball State will host the MAC Championships. The last time all seven MAC teams competed for the championship title on Cardinal territory was in 2009. The team seeks to claim its second MAC Championship title.
CONFERENCE RANKINGS- The Cardinals are currently ranked No. 45 nationally above Northern Illinois (No.46). After this season the 2016 MAC rankings are: Kent State 6-0, Eastern Michigan 5-1, Central Michigan 4-2, Western Michigan 2-4, Northern Illinois 2-4, Ball State 1-5 and Bowling Green 1-5. Additionally, Ball State is ranked fifth on vault, seventh on bars, sixth on beam and fourth on floor, among the seven teams in the MAC conference.
RQS RANKINGS- The Regional Qualifying Score is based on the team's six best regular season meets. Included in those meets, are three away competitions. To calculate a team's RQS, drop the highest team score and average the remaining scores together. Currently the Cardinals RQS sits at 194.635.
BALL STATE AT MAC- Last season, the Cardinals scored a 193.200 tying Northern Illinois for sixth place. Denasiha Christian, who was honored as a member of the 2015 All-MAC Second Team, tied for sixth on vault with a score of 9.825. Former Ball State gymnast Jessica Leko took the beam title scoring a 9.900 and current junior, Sarah Ebeyer finished eighteenth with a 9.725. On floor Christian was named the MAC floor champion with a score of 9.900. Erin Patchey stood seventh with a 9.850.
THE CARDINALS 2016 SEASON HIGH- Ball State finished their regular season 6-11. The Cardinals ended their MAC competition with a win on senior night, scoring a season high of 195.250 at home against Bowling Green (193.650). Denaiha Christian took home the vault title with a 9.950. Sarah Ebeyer followed in second with a 9.825. Senior, Angela Durkac earned a current career-high on bars with a 9.850. Freshman Madison Howell continued the trend and scored a career high of 9.825. On beam Baylee Bell and Jordyn Penny tied for the title with scores of 9.750. Clare Collins, Sarah Ebeyer and Denasiha Christian finished third on floor with scores of 9.850.
SENIOR CARDINALS- Ball State has had the privilege to honor five seniors this season.
Denasiha Christian, a native from Roanoke City, VA. will graduate with a Sociology degree from Ball State. Christian entered the Ball State record book this year for her first place finish on vault with a score of 9.975 at Northern Illinois. Against Towson she scored a career high on beam of 9.825. In addition, she has consistently scored above a 9.800 on floor throughout the majority of her career.
Brooke Evans is from Yorktown, VA. and will graduate from Ball State with a Sport Administration degree. Evans is a three-event gymnast, competing in vault, beam and floor for the Cardinals. She holds career high scores of 9.825 on vault, 9.725 on beam, and 9.825 on floor.
Angela Durkac, a native from Yorktown, VA. is one of Ball State's top bar scorers. She will graduate with a Pre-Veterinary / Biology degree. Durkac holds career highs of 9.425 on vault, 9.850 on bars and 8.250 on beam.
Katie Honarmand, a gymnast from Frederick, MD. competes on bars for the Cardinals. Honarmand achieved a career high on bars of a 9.825 against Northern Illinois this season. She will leave Ball State with a Pre-Physical Therapy degree.
Erin Patchey is from Rhineback, NY. and will graduate with a Sport Administration degree. Patchey is one of Ball State's top scorers on vault and floor. She holds career high scores of 9.800 on vault and 9.875 on floor.
BACK TO BACK FLOOR TITLES- Denasiha Christian danced and tumbled her way into the judges hearts after continually scoring above a 9.800 earning six floor titles in a row this season. Her career high floor score is recorded at a 9.950 in 2013 against Southern Utah. Christian holds the title of 2014 and 2015 Mid-American Conference Floor Champion. She looks forward to defending her title this Saturday.
NOTEABLE FRESHMAN- The Cardinals had three freshmen make an impact so far this season. Kaitlyn Menzione has been a consistent member of the floor team, scoring a high of 9.775 against Eastern Michigan. Sydney Finke has consistently been in the beam and floor lineups scoring career highs of 9.750 in both events. Madison Howell has swung her way into being one of Ball State's top bar scorers, averaging 9.750 in most competitions. She recorded a career high of 9.825 against Bowling Green.
HEAD COACH SALEEM- "It's hard to believe that MAC Championships are here already," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "We have spent the entire year preparing for this weekend and this team is ready for this Championship. They have had a strong season and seem to be carrying a calm confidence with them through these last two weeks. The entire MAC conference has had some really impressive gymnastics this year. I think we are going to surprise some teams this weekend. We just have to remember to go out have fun and perform with confidence. It's exciting that the team will get to end our season in Worthen and I know we are all looking forward to it."
FOLLOW THE CARDINALS- For fans unable to attend the competition follow the links above to live scores and a live video broadcast brought to you by ESPN3.
PURCHASE YOUR SEAT- Tickets for the MAC Championships are available through the Ball State Ticket Office, 888.BSU.TICKET. Tickets will also be sold upon arrival.
For more news on Ball State gymnastics, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateGym and @CoachSaleem on Twitter.
