Gymnastics Coaches Honored By WCGA

MARLBORO, N.J. - - The Ball State gymnastics coaching staff was heavily rewarded for its historic season Monday afternoon as the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) announced its annual regional coaching awards.

Highlighting the list was Cardinals head coach Joanna Saleem who became the first coach in program history to be named a WCGA Regional Coach of the Year. Saleem earns the honor for the Central Region.

"It's a tremendous honor to receive this award," Saleem said. "When your peers recognize the hard work and historic success our student-athletes have accomplished this season, it means so much. I am humbled and immensely grateful for the amazing staff and student-athletes that work alongside me, who have made our success possible."

In addition to Saleem's honor, Ball State assistant coaches Scott Wilson and Cassandra Ringer were named WCGA Regional Co-Assistant Coaches of the Year, along with Kentucky's Rachel Garrison and Chad West and Michigan State's Nicole Curler Jones and Devin Wright.

"I am thrilled for Scott and Cass!" Saleem exclaimed. "They truly deserve this recognition, and I couldn't be happier they get to share this award. Both are incredibly passionate about their work and dedicated to elevating our student-athletes and our program. I know the hours of work they put into our success, and I'm grateful they have been recognized for everything they have given Ball State."

The award marks just the second time in program history Ball State has had a regional assistant coach of the year, as then-assistant Don Hanson was named the 2000 NCAA Region IV Assistant Coach of the Year.

Ball State's coaching staff was rewarded after guiding the program to just the second NCAA team regional berth in program history. Ball State finished the 2023 regular season with a NQS score of 196.395 to rank 34th nationally.

The Cardinals broke the program record for team score twice in 2023, with the new standard being a score of 196.900 set versus Western Michigan (March 12). Overall, Ball State registered nine of the top 10 team scores in program history this season.

In addition to the overall team score mark, the Cardinals set the top four event scores on both vault and beam this season. Ball State's student-athletes also set the individual program record on bars (9.950) and tied the individual marks on both floor (9.950) and beam (9.925).

The 2023 season also saw junior Suki Pfister become the first WCGA All-American in program history when she was selected to the WCGA All-America Second Team after finishing the regular season tied for 14th nationally with a vault NQS of 9.915.

In addition to Ball State, the WCGA Central Region includes LSU, Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan State, Auburn, Ohio State, Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Kent State, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, and Centenary College.

Players Mentioned

Suki Pfister

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