Ball State University Athletics
'Happy Day' Comes Early For EMU Meet
January 23, 2019 | Gymnastics
Ball State gymnastics in action Thursday night at EMU
A high-energy environment. The speakers bumping the team's favorite happy songs. Team spirit.
This is Ball State gymnastics happy day.
For the Cardinals, the last practice day before a meet is the team's 'happy day.' It's about releasing the pressure of competition, catering to the individual and creating the fun vibe the Cardinals have on a meet day.
"Our goal on 'happy day' is to have the team happy and in a good place mentally and physically to compete at their best," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "We want to replicate the environment of a meet and a very happy energy in the gym."
When Saleem started at Ball State in the fall of 2013, she noticed some Gym Cards put a lot of pressure on themselves leading up to the day of a meet. She decided a better, more happy vibe was needed. At Ball State, the practice day before a meet is left to each person's particular goals. Some may need to rehearse a whole routine. Others may need to sharpen a detail or two.Â
Some may just want to dance.
Typically, Ball State competes on weekends, meaning 'happy day' comes toward the end of the week. Friday is a happy day for most people. Makes sense. But this week the Cards travel for a Thursday meet at Eastern Michigan. That placed this week's 'happy day' on a Tuesday. Wednesday for travel, compete Thursday.
Saleem said all of the gymnasts on the team appreciate the light atmosphere, particularly senior Sydney Finke.Â
"As a senior, she knows what she needs to do to be ready to compete," the coach said. "For her it's about details and recovery and being physically ready to go."
"It's about feeling confident in your abilities and being happy with your gymnastics," Finke said. "It's a day to get your mind right for a competition."
The senior from Indianapolis spends 'happy day' doing each of her routines: floor tumbling passes, vault and beam. For Finke, it's in the details.
"Doing the skills I know how to do right the first time I do them makes me feel good, prepared, confident and happy," she said.
At times there's a balance to 'happy day' in keeping the team focused - it's a fun and social group, after all. But the idea and the energy around the team has paid off, according to Saleem.
"I'd say over the last five years or so it's really made a difference."
Ball State Gymnastics
Ball State at Eastern Michigan
Thursday, Jan. 24 - 6 p.m.
Convocation Center - Ypsilanti, Mich.
Live Video |  Live Results |  Twitter
Â
This is Ball State gymnastics happy day.
For the Cardinals, the last practice day before a meet is the team's 'happy day.' It's about releasing the pressure of competition, catering to the individual and creating the fun vibe the Cardinals have on a meet day.
"Our goal on 'happy day' is to have the team happy and in a good place mentally and physically to compete at their best," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "We want to replicate the environment of a meet and a very happy energy in the gym."
When Saleem started at Ball State in the fall of 2013, she noticed some Gym Cards put a lot of pressure on themselves leading up to the day of a meet. She decided a better, more happy vibe was needed. At Ball State, the practice day before a meet is left to each person's particular goals. Some may need to rehearse a whole routine. Others may need to sharpen a detail or two.Â
Some may just want to dance.
Typically, Ball State competes on weekends, meaning 'happy day' comes toward the end of the week. Friday is a happy day for most people. Makes sense. But this week the Cards travel for a Thursday meet at Eastern Michigan. That placed this week's 'happy day' on a Tuesday. Wednesday for travel, compete Thursday.
Saleem said all of the gymnasts on the team appreciate the light atmosphere, particularly senior Sydney Finke.Â
"As a senior, she knows what she needs to do to be ready to compete," the coach said. "For her it's about details and recovery and being physically ready to go."
"It's about feeling confident in your abilities and being happy with your gymnastics," Finke said. "It's a day to get your mind right for a competition."
The senior from Indianapolis spends 'happy day' doing each of her routines: floor tumbling passes, vault and beam. For Finke, it's in the details.
"Doing the skills I know how to do right the first time I do them makes me feel good, prepared, confident and happy," she said.
At times there's a balance to 'happy day' in keeping the team focused - it's a fun and social group, after all. But the idea and the energy around the team has paid off, according to Saleem.
"I'd say over the last five years or so it's really made a difference."
Ball State Gymnastics
Ball State at Eastern Michigan
Thursday, Jan. 24 - 6 p.m.
Convocation Center - Ypsilanti, Mich.
Live Video |  Live Results |  Twitter
Â
Players Mentioned
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