Gymnastics Set To Welcome Four For 2025 Campaign

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Ball State gymnastics head coach Joanna Saleem is excited to announce the four standout student-athletes who will join the program in the fall of 2024.

Set to start their career as Cardinals in the 2025 season are:
- Viviana Campuzano (Shorewood, Ill. / Minooka Community H.S. / Aspire Gymnastics Academy)
- Avery Kantor (Charlotte, N.C. / Andrey Kelly H.S. / Perfect Balance)
- Karli Mercer (Bloomsburg, Pa. / Central Columbia H.S. / Northeast Gymnastics)
- Breelyn Rickey (Florence, Ky. / Ryle H.S. / Perfection Gymnastics)

"We are thrilled to announce the addition of four well balanced and talented young women to our Cardinals Gymnastics program for the 2025 season," Saleem said. "They have the gymnastics ability to help elevate our program nationally, while also being exceptional people. They each complement the culture of our team with their hard-working and dedicated personalities."

Name                                          Hometown (High School)                                       Club
Viviana Campuzano              Shorewood, Ill. (Minooka Community)             Aspire Gymnastics Academy

Saleem on Campuzano: Viviana is a wonderful young lady that is committed to self-improvement and hard work. She is a dedicated student-athlete who has what it takes to become one of the best bar workers in the MAC. Taking time off for a significant injury has only increased her love for the sport and solidified what she wants for her future. The first time I met Viviana, I felt as if we had known each other for years. I believe this smart young lady is going to be bringing a lot more than big gymnastics to our team.

Career Highlights: 2022 USA Gymnastics Women's Development Program National Championship qualifier … 2022 National Gymnastics Association Beam Champion … 2022 NGA National Team qualifier … three-year team captain, despite missing the 2023 season due to injury … owns career-best Level 10 marks of 37.600 in the all-around, 9.575 on floor, 9.500 on vault, 9.450 on bars and 9.400 on beam.

Why Ball State: I immediately loved the coaches, girls, and culture of the Ball State program.

Name                                          Hometown (High School)                                       Club
Avery Kantor                            Charlotte, N.C. (Andrey Kelly)                               Perfect Balance

Saleem on Kantor: Avery fit in with the team as soon as she walked on campus. She is spunky and fun and has a dynamic and determined personality. I see her making an immediate impact in our vault and floor lineups. I am thrilled to have her energetic personality join our team. Avery understands how to be a great teammate and will push herself and those around her to rise to every challenge.

Career Highlights: 2022 Level 9 Eastern Nationals floor champion with a score of 9.725 … also placed fourth in the all-around at 37.275 … 2023 Level 10 State floor runner-up (9.750) … 2022 Level 9 State runner-up in the all-around (37.500), floor (9.650) and vault (9.550) … 2022 Level 9 Regional all-around (38.100) and bars (9.600) champion, while finishing as runner-up on vault (9.675) … 2021 Level 8 State Champion in the all-around (38.375), floor (9.750) and beam (9.600), while finishing at runner-up on bars (9.575) and vault (9.450) … 2021 North Carolina State Team Member … owns career-best Level 10 marks of 37.300 in the all-around, 9.775 on floor, 9.575 on vault and 9.450 on beam … 2021 Perfect Balance Gymnast of The Year … 2022 Perfect Balance Hardest Worker Award.

Why Ball State: I chose Ball State because of the impeccable athletics and team/coaching environment. As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt so welcomed by the energetic atmosphere and knew I was going to call this place home. On top of this great program, the academics offered will help me succeed in the future, as I value both athletics and education. I can't wait to call The Nest home for the next four years!

Name                                          Hometown (High School)                                       Club
Karli Mercer                             Bloomsburg, Pa. (Central Columbia)                  Northeast Gymnastics

Saleem on Mercer: Karli is the complete package. She is an exceptional student who is committed to personal growth and development in both the classroom and the gym. Karli has a beautiful vault that will compete well nationally and will become a Cardinals fan favorite. Her unique balance of grace and power will add competitive excellence to our team.

Career Highlights: Placed third on vault (9.6), second on beam (9.5) and sixth in the all-around (37.25) at the 2023 Level 10 Pennsylvania State Championship … Placed ninth on vault (9.5) and eighth on floor (9.5) at the 2023 Region 7 Regional Championship … 2019 Level 9 America's Top 100 score on vault (9.725) … 2022 Region 7 Junior Olympics National Alternate … owns career-best Level 10 marks of 37.250 in the all-around, 9.600 on vault, 9.500 on floor and beam, and 9.475 on bars.

Why Ball State: I chose Ball State because the campus is the perfect size, and the gym environment is so welcoming.

Name                                          Hometown (High School)                                       Club
Breelyn Rickey                         Florence, Ky. (Ryle)                                                    Perfection Gymnastics

Saleem on Rickey: Breelyn is engaging to watch on beam and bars and our fans will fall in love with supporting this young woman. She is quietly confident on the competition floor while having a bubbly and energetic personality. She continues to show her competitive development in her upgrading of skills and performance abilities.I personally believe Breelyn hasn't come close to reaching her peak and I am excited to watch her grow in our program.

Career Highlights: Qualified for the 2023 Women's Development Program Level 10 National Championships, competing in the all-around … her best effort was a 14th-place finish on beam (9.500) … two-time Level 10 Region 5 Championship qualifier, placing seventh in the all-around (36.900) this past season, led by a sixth-place finish on beam (9.425) … All-Around champion at the 2019 Level 9 Eastern Gymnastics Championships with a score of 37.650 … effort was paced by a third-place score of 9.500 on bars … owns career-best Level 10 marks of 37.475 in the all-around, 9.500 on beam, 9.375 on vault and 9.325 on bars and floor.

Why Ball State: From the very first time I stepped foot on the campus I felt a connection. As I experienced more time with the coaches and athletes, I knew this was where I belonged.

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