A Tough, Competitive Schedule Awaits Gymnastics in 2019

MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State gymnastics team will be tested early and often, facing six NCAA Regional participants from last season according to the 2019 schedule released today by head coach Joanna Saleem.

In addition to the top-notch competition, the schedule is highlighted by four home meets, including Mid-American Conference opponents Western Michigan (Feb. 3), Northern Illinois (Feb. 17) and 2018 NCAA Regional participant Central Michigan (March 3). The Cardinals will also host Illinois State and Southeast Missouri in a Feb. 24 tri-meet.

Ball State fans will be able to get their first glimpse of the 2019 Cardinals in action on Dec. 3 during the annual Red vs. White meet at 7 p.m. in Worthen Arena.

The Cardinals officially open the 2019 season Jan. 13 at the Lindsey Ferris Invitational hosted by 2018 NCAA Regional participant George Washington. Ball State will also battle Cornell and North Carolina at the meet.

Next up, perhaps the toughest test of the season when the Cardinals travel to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for a tri-meet with the host Tar Heels and 2018 NCAA Championship runner-up Oklahoma.

"We are very excited to have the opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best programs in the country," Saleem said. "Starting the season at George Washington and then traveling to North Carolina to compete against the Tar Heels and 2018 NCAA runner-up Oklahoma will provide invaluable experience for our entire team early in the year, especially our freshmen heading into four straight meets against MAC competition."

Ball State closes its three-meet, season-opening road swing at MAC rival Eastern Michigan (Jan. 24).

The Cardinals will also compete in four more road tri-meets over the course of the season: Feb. 8 at MAC foe Bowling Green with Lindenwood, Feb. 22 at Pittsburgh with West Virginia who were both 2018 NCAA Regional competitors, March 10 at MAC rival and 2018 NCAA Regional participant Kent State with North Carolina and March 17 at Michigan State with UIC.

"Our entire non-conference schedule will provide us with an opportunity to showcase our program in front of some large crowds and judges who don't normally get to see us compete, and I'm sure they will be impressed by what we have to show them," Saleem said. "They will also help us prepare for a tough, competitive MAC season. There are a lot of very strong teams in the MAC and testing ourselves against the best competition in and out of league play will have us ready for the MAC Championships and beyond."

The 2019 MAC Championships will be held March 23 at Northern Illinois.

NCAA Regionals will be held either April 4, 5 or 6 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Athens, Georgia, and Corvallis, Oregon.

The NCAA Championships follow April 19-20 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

For the most up-to-date news on the gymnastics team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateGYM and @CoachSaleem.

A Tough, Competitive Schedule Awaits Gymnastics in 2019

Related News

Related Videos