Henry’s Record Performance Lifts Gymnastics Past CMU

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Led by a record performance from junior all-around specialist Victoria Henry, the Ball State gymnastics program ran its head-to-head winning streak to 11 with a 196.100-196.075 victory over Central Michigan Sunday afternoon at Worthen Arena.

"At the end of the day, we continue to look at what are we doing in the gym," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "Our goal has always been to compete for a complete season and to get better throughout the year. We want to be peaking and hitting on all cylinders as we end the year. We go into the gym every day and analyze what we did well, how we can do it again, and what do we need to continue to improve on. We look for the little things, because over the course of a competition those little things, a half a tenth, a quarter of a tenth, that makes the difference between winning and losing."

In a meet which saw the Cardinals (13-4; 4-0 Mid-American Conference) turn in another strong team effort, Henry's performance was the icing on the cake. She started the day with a 9.875 on vault, followed by a 9.775 on bars, and a 9.850 on beam. Henry then closed the meet with a beautiful routine on floor which earned the event win at 9.900.

Added together, she scored a 39.400 to top the previous all-around record of 39.375 set by Sarah Mikrut at the 1997 MAC Championships.

Henry was not along with a solid all-around effort, whoever, as classmate Hannah Ruthberg was close behind a 39.225, which ties as the 13th-best score in program history.

Throw in a career-high tying 9.950 for the win on vault from junior Suki Pfister, and the Cardinals finished with the fifth-best overall team score in program history with its score of 196.100.

Overall, Ball State counted 10 routines of 9.800-or-better on the day, including three on both beam and floor.

"We have a really talented, dedicated group of young women," Saleem added "They are in there focused on what they are trying to do and figuring out how to eliminate distractions. They continue to come in and work towards a common goal and bring a lot of different backgrounds to the program. The fact they are working together and believing in one another has been huge, and I think that's why you are seeing the success we have had this year.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Rotation 1 – Vault (49.075):
- It was a solid start to the meet for the Cardinals, which tied the 10th-best team vault score in program history at 49.075.
- Suki Pfister was the event winner, tying her career-best mark with a 9.950 … The effort included a 10.00 from the head judge in the event and tied as the third-best individual score in program history.
- Victoria Henry started her record-setting all-around with a 9.875 on vault to place second on the squad.
- The Cardinals also counted 9.750s from Zoe Middleton, Hannah Ruthberg, and Megan Teter

Rotation 2 – Bars (49.025)
- The second rotation saw the Cardinals tie the 10th-best team score in program history with a 49.025.
- Hannah Ruthberg and Megan Teter tied for the event win on the apparatus with scores of 9.875, with Ruthberg's effort being a career-best.
- Grace Evans added a 9.800, while BSU also counted a 9.775 from Victoria Henry and a 9.700 from Zoe Middleton.

Rotation 3 – Beam (48.950)
- The Cardinals tied the 13th-best team score in program history with a 48.950 on beam
- Victoria Henry paced the squad with her career-best beam routine of 9.850.
- Grace Evans and Grace Sumner followed with 9.800s
- Rounding out Ball State's countable scores were a 9.775 from Hannah Ruthberg and a 9.725 from Lauren Volpe.

Rotation 4 – Floor (49.050)
- Victoria Henry picked up the event win with her 9.900, tying as the 22nd-best score in program history.
- Hannah Ruthberg finished her solid all-around day with a 9.825.
- Megan Teter also scored a 9.825, while BSU also counted 9.750s from Zoe Middleton and Suki Pfister.

All-Around:
- Victoria Henry broke the program record in the event with a 39.400
- Hannah Ruthberg earned scores of 9.875 on bars, 9.825 on floor, 9.775 on beam and 9.750 on vault for an all-around mark of 39.225.

Next Time Out:
The Ball State gymnastics program returns to action Friday, when it travels to Bowling Green for a 6 p.m. league duel with the Falcons.

Henry’s Record Performance Lifts Gymnastics Past CMU

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Players Mentioned

Grace Evans

Victoria Henry

Zoe Middleton

Suki Pfister

Hannah Ruthberg

Grace Sumner

Megan Teter

Lauren Volpe