Gymnastics Caps Regular Season With Program Record & MAC Co-Championship

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Sunday was another record-setting afternoon for Ball State gymnastics, which used a program record team score of 196.900 to capture a share of the 2023 Mid-American Conference regular season championship at Worthen Arena.

While the Cardinals (16-6; 5-1 MAC) came up 0.050 short of visiting Western Michigan, which scored 196.950, BSU was able to secure a share of the league crown with the Broncos (11-4; 5-1 MAC).

"We knew coming into the day that we needed to get our jobs done, and that's what they did," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "They came in focused on the gymnastics and the things they had control over. While there were a few mistakes, at the end of the day we did not get caught up in them and continued to battle until the very last routine. It's a big deal at this point in the season to see that kind of growth and the success it brings them."

In a battle of the league's top ranked teams in the NQS, Ball State started off hot with a 49.200 on vault, highlighted by another 9.950 and event win from junior Suki Pfister.

The Cardinals carried the momentum over to bars, landing five routines of 9.825-or-higher for the third-best bars score in program history at 49.225. Senior Grace Evans was BSU's top gymnast in the event, landing a 9.875.

On beam, the Cardinals used 9.900s from senior Taylor Waldo and sophomore Grace Sumner to finish with a mark of 49.100.

Ball State's seniors would shine again on floor, led by a career-best tying score of 9.925 from Megan Teter which locked up the event victory. Waldo added her second solid performance of the day with a 9.875.

Overall, Ball State's seniors shined on senior day, including a 9.825 on beam from Lauren Volpe. In fact, the Cardinals four seniors accounted for seven of the team's 18 scores of 9.800-or-higher on the day.

"The growth of each of our seniors, from freshman year to now, has been something really special to be a part of," Saleem added. "I am glad we were able to celebrate their contributions with the type of performance we had today."

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Rotation 1 – Vault (49.200)
- The Cardinals started the meet strong, earning the fourth-best vault score in program history at 49.200.
- Suki Pfister led the way, earning her seventh vault victory of the season and tying her career-best score with a 9.950
- Junior Victoria Henry, who had won the last two vault competition entering the day, was right behind in second at 9.875.
- The Cardinals also counted 9.800s from junior Hannah Ruthberg and Megan Teter, as well as a career-best tying 9.775 from freshman Leah White.

Rotation 2 – Bars (49.225)
- The Cardinals followed the opening rotation with the third-best bars score in program history at 49.225.
- Grace Evans led the way for BSU with her 9.875, tying for second in the meet.
- BSU also counted 9.850s from Hannah Ruthberg and Megan Teter, as well as 9.825s from Grace Sumner and freshman Zoe Middleton.
- Middleton's 9.825 tied her career-best effort on bars.

Rotation 3 – Beam (49.100)
- BSU continued strong with the ninth-best beam score in program history at 49.100.
- Taylor Waldo and Grace Sumner each registered 9.900s on the apparatus to tie for second.
- Lauren Volpe added a 9.825, while BSU also counted a 9.750 from Victoria Henry and a 9.725 from Hannah Ruthberg.

Rotation 4 – Floor (49.375):
- Ball State saved its best for last, however, tallying a 49.375 on floor which is the fourth-best floor score in the BSU record book.
- Megan Teter shined in her Senior Day routine, picking up the event win with a 9.925.
- Victoria Henry and Taylor Waldo were not far behind, each scoring a 9.875.
- The Cardinals were also able to count 9.850s from Zoe Middleton and Hannah Ruthberg.

All-Around:
- Hannah Ruthberg had another solid all-around performance, following her program record effort from Friday with a 39.225 this afternoon … The effort included 9.850s on floor and bars, as well as a 9.800 on vault and a 9.725 on beam.
- Victoria Henry chipped in a 38.625 in the all-around, led by 9.875 performances on vault and floor.

More From Saleem:
What impresses you the most about our team's performance?
- What impresses me the most about our team is that week after week, they are coming out and not only performing well, but able to adapt when things aren't quite perfect. In this sport, it's so hard to have that mentality, to continue to work towards your goals without letting the pressure get to you. That is what has led to our success, the way they handle the bumps in the road. I just love working with this group."

What's the mindset heading into the MAC Championships?
Heading into the MAC Championships, the plan is to continue to do what we've been doing. That's what has gotten us here. That's continuing to focus on the details, supporting each other, and keeping ourselves included in our own little bubble. It's not just one person, it's the whole team. We need every one of them to be engaged, plugged in, because they all bring something unique and special. It's been a real joy to be able to work with this group.

Next Time Out:
The Ball State gymnastics team returns to action Saturday when it travels to Kent State for the 2023 Mid-American Conference Championships. Action is slated to start at 2 p.m. at the M.A.C. Center.

Gymnastics Caps Regular Season With Program Record & MAC Co-Championship

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Players Mentioned

Grace Evans

Victoria Henry

Zoe Middleton

Suki Pfister

Hannah Ruthberg

Grace Sumner

Megan Teter

Lauren Volpe

Taylor Waldo

Leah White