Gymnastics Shines In Home Opener, Sweeping Ball State Quad

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Fueled by an energetic crowd, the Ball State gymnastics team opened the home portion of its 2023 schedule with the third-best team score in program history to sweep Sunday's Ball State Quad inside Worthen Arena.

"The crowd was awesome today," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "To be able to open at home and have that many fans fill the stands with energy and excitement was special. For them to come out and support what these young women have been working so hard for is truly appreciated. They were that seventh person in the lineup today, and you can see how they energized our team in the scores."

The Cardinals (10-4) used the enthusiasm of the over 1,400 spectators to register a team score of 196.300 and 14 individual routines of 9.800-or-higher. The mark, which is also the program's second-best team score in Worthen Arena, gave BSU the edge over Pitt (195.075), Southeast Missouri (194.700), and Fisk (189.650).

"We are staying right on track with where we have been performing in the gym," Saleem added. "Coming in and doing the same gymnastics in the practice gym and on the competition floor. That is going to be key for us to continue to be successful."

In the individual win column, junior Suki Pfister picked up the title on vault with a season-best 9.925, while senior Megan Teter earned the victory on bars with a 9.850.

Ball State also saw sophomore Grace Sumner and senior Taylor Waldo tie the program record on beam, tying for second overall with a score of 9.925. It is the second time Waldo has tied the program record this season.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Rotation 1 – Vault (49.050):
- Junior Suki Pfister upped her league-leading score on vault, tallying a 9.925 to win the event and tie the sixth-best score in program history.
- Overall, the Cardinals took the top three spots on vault, with junior Victoria Henry landing a 9.825 and senior Megan Teter scoring a 9.800.
- Ball State also counted a 9.775 from junior Hannah Ruthberg and a 9.725 from freshman Zoe Middleton.
- BSU's 49.050 team score on vault was also the best among the four teams in the meet.

Rotation 2 – Bars (48.975)
- Senior Megan Teter led all gymnasts on bars, registering a score of 9.850 which ties as her second-best score on the apparatus this season.
- Junior Hannah Ruthberg tied for second overall, registering a season-best score of 9.825.
- The Cardinals were also able to count a 9.800 from junior Victoria Henry, and scores of 9.750 from sophomore Grace Sumner and freshman Zoe Middleton.
- Once again, Ball State's team score of 48.975 on bars was the best in the meet.

Rotation 3 – Beam (49.275)
- The Cardinals also paced all four teams on beam, registering the second-best team score in program history with a 49.275.
- Leading the way were program-record tying scores of 9.925 by both sophomore Grace Sumner and senior Taylor Waldo
- Junior Hannah Ruthberg added a career-best beam score of 9.875 to tie for fourth overall.
- Ball State also counted a season-high 9.825 from senior Lauren Volpe and a 9.725 from Grace Evans.

Rotation 4 – Floor (49.000)
- The Cardinals also tallied the best floor score of the quad, earning a 49.000
- Senior Megan Teter led the way with a 9.825 to tie for fourth overall.
- Senior Taylor Waldo, junior Hannah Ruthberg, and freshman Zoe Middleton each added a 9.800, with Waldo's effort being a season-best.
- Rounding out Ball State's counting scores was junior Victoria Henry at 9.775.

All-Around:
- Junior Hannah Ruthberg earned the honor of Ball State gymnast of the meet after finishing second in the all-around with a season-best score of 39.275.
- Ruthberg's effort tied as the seventh-best in program history and included a 9.875 on beam, a 9.825 on bars, a 9.800 on floor and a 9.775 on vault.
- Junior Victoria Henry also turned in a solid all-around score, placing third at 38.700.
- Henry's effort was highlighted a 9.825 on vault, a 9.800 on bars, and a 9.775 on floor.

More From Saleem:
- About Beam: The whole group is a strong group. Watching them get up and remain calm each week as they gain a little confidence, I think you are going to see more-and-more scores like we saw today. They are working on the details and know how to compete. Even after a mistake, I love that they are fighting and saying in it until the end. That's something we have been working on in the gym.

- About The Team: There is not any one person who is standing out. We are building off one another and continuing to be a unified group. That's the thing that has been really fun.

Next Time Out:
After a busy couple of weeks, the Ball State gymnastics program will have two weeks to rest and train before it hosts Northern Illinois for a 1 p.m. Mid-American Conference dual on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 12).

Gymnastics Shines In Home Opener, Sweeping Ball State Quad

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Players Mentioned

Grace Evans

Victoria Henry

Zoe Middleton

Suki Pfister

Hannah Ruthberg

Grace Sumner

Megan Teter

Lauren Volpe

Taylor Waldo