Ball State University Athletics
Cardinals Head to Iowa City for NCAA Regionals
March 30, 2016 | Gymnastics
MUNCIE, Ind. -- With the exception of the team qualification to NCAA Regionals in 1999, this is the highest number of individuals that Ball State has sent into the NCAA post season in program history. Ball State has four members competing (Denasiha Christian, Sarah Ebeyer, Jordyn Penny and Baylee Bell) and two alternates (Kayla Beckler and Erin Patchey) representing the Cardinals in Iowa City, Iowa on Saturday, Apr. 2.
"I am so proud of this team and the young ladies that we are taking to Iowa," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "The hard work and dedication of each member of this team is paying off. The competitive level of the program has risen over the past 3 years, and you are seeing that by having individuals qualify to Regionals."
Iowa City Regional (University of Iowa, host) – 4 p.m.
Teams
Oklahoma
Nebraska
Arkansas
Iowa
Kent St.
Central Mich.
All-Around Competitors
1. Anna Corbett, Western Mich.
2. Kelsey Hood, Western Mich.
3. Ashley White, Centenary
Individual Event Specialists
Vault – Denasiha Christian, Ball St.
Vault – Jessi Buis, Western Mich.
Vault – Sarah Ebeyer, Ball St.
Alt. – Jordyn Penny, Ball St.
Uneven Bars – Jordyn Penny, Ball St.
Uneven Bars – Jessie Peszek, Western Mich.
Uneven Bars – Jessica Juncaj, Western Mich.
Alt. – Kayla Beckler, Ball St.
Balance Beam – Rachael Underwood, Western Mich.
Balance Beam – Jessie Peszek, Western Mich.
Balance Beam – Baylee Bell, Ball St.
Alt. – Jordyn Penny, Ball St.
Floor Exercise – Denasiha Christian, Ball St.
Floor Exercise – Rachael Underwood, Western Mich.
Floor Exercise – Sarah Ebeyer, Ball St.
Alt. – Audry Merritt, Western Mich.
The team concluded its season when it hosted the Mid-American Conference Championships on Mar. 19. The Cardinals finished second out of seven teams breaking their school record with a 195.650.
During the competition the Cardinals earned season highs on vault (48.975), beam (48.850) and floor (49.275). The team managed a score of 48.550 on bars.
Seinor Denasiha Christian was named the MAC floor champion for the third year in a row with a score of 9.950. Christian was also honored as the MAC vault champion with a 9.900.
"The news has energized the entire group, and my hope is that we will be able to use that energy, that taste of success when setting our goals for next year," Saleem said. "With the right focus and work ethic we should be even better next season, with more qualifiers, aiming to qualify the team."
For more news on Ball State gymnastics, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateGym, and @JoannaSaleem on Twitter.
