Ball State University Athletics
Friday, February 22
Pittsburgh, PA
7 p.m.
Ball State University
195.000
at
195.425
Pittsburgh
Photo by: UNC ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Cardinals Land Season-Best Score At Pittsburgh
February 23, 2019 | Gymnastics
Mark your calendar for Sunday's home meet at 1 pm
PITTSBURGH - A young and battle-tested Ball State gymnastics squad is rounding into form at the right time. The latest example is the team's season-best 195.025 mark Friday at Pittsburgh.
First it was a school-record mark on the vault, then the team has gotten healthier and deeper as gymnasts have returned and added strength in all four events. This year's Achilles heel has been the balance beam, and Ball State took a big step in turning the corner Friday night in that event.
Nobody in the meet was better on the balance beam than Arden Hudson, who enjoyed a career-high 9.875 on her routine to be the high scorer. Hudson and Menzione (9.825) were 1-2 on the beam to help BSU to a season-high 48.850 score, better than both Pitt and West Virginia.
"We worked all week in practice to make beam fun," Hudson said. "And we went out and had fun like we do in practice and it worked out there for us tonight."
"Arden had a beautiful beam routine and I was very excited for her," head coach Joanna Saleem added.
Menzione was also second on the floor with a 9.825 mark. Another second-place performance came from Stefanie Schweikert on vault (9.875). On the night, six Ball State routines score 9.800 or better.Â
"Obviously having our best score of the season was really fun. We were able to put together four events for the most part," Saleem said. "Seeing them compete on the floor the way they do in practice was really exciting."Â
WVU won the team scoring, which was very tight between the three schools. WVU's 195.650 edged Pitt 195.425
Ball State will take Friday's positive momentum into Sunday's home meet, when Illinois State and SEMO come to Worthen. The meet is at 1 p.m. and it's alumni day and the first 50 students in attendance will receive a free Ball State drawstring backpack.
"We were really close to doing a lot more and have a couple little things to fix," Saleem said. "But I'm really proud of the team and we're excited to go out Sunday and do it again."
Follow Ball State gymnastics on Facebook or on Twitter and Instagram at @BallStateGym.
First it was a school-record mark on the vault, then the team has gotten healthier and deeper as gymnasts have returned and added strength in all four events. This year's Achilles heel has been the balance beam, and Ball State took a big step in turning the corner Friday night in that event.
Nobody in the meet was better on the balance beam than Arden Hudson, who enjoyed a career-high 9.875 on her routine to be the high scorer. Hudson and Menzione (9.825) were 1-2 on the beam to help BSU to a season-high 48.850 score, better than both Pitt and West Virginia.
"We worked all week in practice to make beam fun," Hudson said. "And we went out and had fun like we do in practice and it worked out there for us tonight."
"Arden had a beautiful beam routine and I was very excited for her," head coach Joanna Saleem added.
Menzione was also second on the floor with a 9.825 mark. Another second-place performance came from Stefanie Schweikert on vault (9.875). On the night, six Ball State routines score 9.800 or better.Â
"Obviously having our best score of the season was really fun. We were able to put together four events for the most part," Saleem said. "Seeing them compete on the floor the way they do in practice was really exciting."Â
WVU won the team scoring, which was very tight between the three schools. WVU's 195.650 edged Pitt 195.425
Ball State will take Friday's positive momentum into Sunday's home meet, when Illinois State and SEMO come to Worthen. The meet is at 1 p.m. and it's alumni day and the first 50 students in attendance will receive a free Ball State drawstring backpack.
"We were really close to doing a lot more and have a couple little things to fix," Saleem said. "But I'm really proud of the team and we're excited to go out Sunday and do it again."
Follow Ball State gymnastics on Facebook or on Twitter and Instagram at @BallStateGym.
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