Another Henry Win On Vault Leads Gymnastics at NCAA First Round

Wednesday, March 29

Norman, Okla.

3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT

Ball State University

195.375

196.075

NC State

Photo by: Nick Lawler - Ball State Sports Link

Ball State vs. NC State - NCAA Norman Regional First RoundBall State vs. NC State - NCAA Norman Regional First Round

Photo by: Nick Lawler - Ball State Sports Link

Another Henry Win On Vault Leads Gymnastics at NCAA First Round

March 29, 2023 | Gymnastics

Complete Results Photo Gallery

NORMAN, Oklahoma - - Ball State gymnastics turned in a strong performance Wednesday afternoon at the Lloyd Noble Center, unfortunately it was not enough to advance as the team suffered a 196.075 to 195.375 setback to NC State in the first round of the NCAA Norman Regional.

"This group has really challenged themselves and have embraced doing difficult things, which is what got us to this point in the season," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "You have meets that you know it's not over until the last event, the last routine. We have really worked hard as a program to learn to regulate our emotions and stay in the routines without looking back or looking ahead. That's what you saw after a rough start today, we didn't dwell on the mistakes and pushed forward."

Competing as a team at NCAA Regionals for the first time since the 1999 season, the Cardinals (16-7) were able to pick up one event win on the day, as junior Victoria Henry won the vault competition with a 9.900.

It was Henry's second straight meet win on vault, as she was also crowned Mid-American Conference Champion after landing a career-best 9.950 at the MAC Championships (March 18). In addition to her winning vault, Henry finished second in the all-around with a score of 39.175.

Along with the event win on vault, junior Suki Pfister tied for second on vault (9.875) and floor (9.850), senior Megan Teter tied for second on bars (9.850), and senior Taylor Waldo tied for second on beam (9.850).

While the Cardinals did not advance to the second round as a team, Ball State will still be represented in Thursday's NCAA Second Round with its individual qualifiers returning to action.

Pfister and Henry will compete as individuals on vault, sophomore Grace Sumner will participate on beam, and Teter will be in action on both bars and floor. In addition, junior Hannah Ruthberg will compete in the all-around.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Rotation 1 – Bars (48.375)
- Senior Megan Teter led the way for the Cardinals on bars, closing out the first rotation with a score of 9.850 to tie for second overall.
- Junior Victoria Henry was not far behind, earning a 9.825, while freshman Zoe Middleton scored 9.800.
- Sophomore Grace Sumner also started the rotation strong with a 9.750.

Rotation 2 – Vault (49.075)
- The Cardinals picked up the pace on vault, tying the 13th-best score in program history with a 49.075.
- Once again it was BSU's final competitor who led the way, as junior Victoria Henry scored a 9.900 to win the vault title on the day.
- Junior Suki Pfister added a big score of her own, landing a 9.875 to place second overall.
- Ball State also counted a 9.800 from senior Megan Teter, as well as a pair of 9.750s from freshman Zoe Middleton and junior Hannah Ruthberg.

Rotation 3 – Floor (48.975)
- Junior Suki Pfister led four Cardinals with scores of 9.800-or-higher, earning a 9.850 to tie for second overall.
- Senior Megan Teter was right behind, landing a 9.825.
- Ball State also counted 9.800s from senior Taylor Waldo and freshman Zoe Middleton, as well as a 9.700 from junior Victoria Henry.

Rotation 4 – Beam (48.950):
- Senior Taylor Waldo closed her career by leading the Cardinals on beam, tying for second overall with a 9.850.
- Fifth-year senior Lauren Volpe also closed her career with a strong effort, scoring 9.825.
- The Cardinals also counted a 9.775 from junior Hannah Ruthberg, as well as 9.750s from senior Grace Evans and junior Victoria Henry.

All-Around:
- In addition to winning the vault competition, junior Victoria Henry placed second overall in the all-around with a 39.175 … The effort was led by a 9.900 on vault, a 9.825 on bars, a 9.750 on beam, and a 9.700 on floor.
- Senior Hannah Ruthberg added a 38.150 in the all-around, led by a 9.775 on beam and a 9.750 on vault.

Next Time Out:
Ball State's individuals will return to action Thursday evening at the Lloyd Noble Center when they compete for a chance to advance to the NCAA Championship. The Cardinals will compete in the second session starting at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT.