Gymnastics Captures UNC Quad Title To Open 2024 Campaign

CHAPEL HILL - - The Ball State gymnastics team picked up right where it left off last year, registering the best season-opening meet score in program history to begin the 2024 campaign by winning the UNC Quad with a mark of 194.925.

"I am very proud of how we continued to stay present throughout the meet and didn't let mistakes or errors cumulate," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "We acted like a team and really enjoyed the energy of the arena. We were able to go out and do the gymnastics that we do in the practice gym, which is our goal for any competition."

The Cardinals, who topped host North Carolina (193.725), Rutgers (193.400) and Utah State (193.175) Friday evening at Carmichael Arena, surpassed the previous mark of 194.475 set at the 2018 Kentucky Quad.

Senior Victoria Henry led the way for Ball State in the win, taking top honors on both floor (9.900) and the all-around (39.275). In fact, her mark tied as the sixth-best individual all-around score in program history.

In addition, senior Suki Pfister continued to show why she is considered one of the top vault specialists in the nation by tying for top honors on the event with a score of 9.925.

Overall, the Cardinals opened the season with eight routines of 9.800-or-better in Friday's quad, including a 9.825 on beam from freshman Ashley Szymanski in her collegiate debut.

"There is a lot of growth from this team, and it's awesome to watch their development," Saleem added. "Getting to see the newcomers go out there and not only enjoy the night, but make an immediate impact, was special. They all came out and performed well in their first collegiate meet and I couldn't be prouder."

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

ROTATION 1: Beam (47.925)
- Senior Hannah Ruthberg topped Ball State in the opening rotation, earning a 9.800.
- Senior Victoria Henry opened the season for the Cardinals with a 9.775, BSU's second-best score on the apparatus.
- Rounding out Ball State's top scorers was freshman Lindsay Fuller who opened her collegiate career with a 9.725.

ROTATION 2: Floor (49.025)
- Victoria Henry shined in her first floor routine of the season, placing first overall among the 23 scored competitors with BSU's first score of 9.900 of the season.
- Sophomore Zoe Middleton was not far behind, earning a 9.850
- The Cardinals also counted 9.775s from graduate student Megan Teter and Hannah Ruthberg, along with a 9.725 from freshman Ava Molina in her collegiate debut.

ROTATION 3: Vault (49.150)
- Ball State wasted little time breaking into the record book, tying the sixth-best vault team score in program history with a 49.150
- 2023 WCGA Second Team All-American senior Suki Pfister picked up right where she left off last season, tying for the event win on vault with a 9.925.
- Victoria Henry followed with a solid score of her own, anchoring the rotation with a 9.875.
- Zoe Middleton added a career-best 9.850, while the Cardinals also counted a 9.775 from Hannah Ruthberg and a 9.725 from Megan Teter.

ROTATION 4: Bars (48.825)
- Freshman Ashley Szymanski led the Cardinals on bars in her collegiate debut, tying for third overall with a score of 9.825
- Hannah Ruthberg rounded out her all-around day with a 9.800 on bars, followed closely by junior Grace Sumner who scored 9.775.
- Victoria Henry closed her four-event night with a 9.725, while Zoe Middleton and Megan Teter capped their all-around efforts with 9.700s

ALL-AROUND:
- Victoria Henry took home the all-around title with a 39.275, tying the 10th-best individual all-around score in program history … Her night was paced by a winning score of 9.900 on floor, followed by a 9.875 on vault, a 9.775 on beam and a 9.725 on bars.
- Led by scores of 9.800 on both bars and beam, Hannah Ruthberg finished the night with a 39.150 in the all-around, taking second among the seven all-around competitors … She also scored 9.775s on vault and floor.
- Zoe Middleton turned in an impressive performance in her collegiate all-around debut, scoring a 39.000 led by her career-best 9.850 on vault and 9.850 on floor … She also counted a 9.700 on bars and a 9.600 in her first competitive collegiate beam routine.
- In her collegiate all-around debut, Megan Teter finished with a 38.125 highlighted by a 9.775 on floor, a 9.725 on vault and a 9.700 on bars.

UP NEXT:
The Ball State gymnastics team returns to action Sunday, Jan. 14, when it travels to Ohio State for 2 p.m. tri-meet which also includes Towson.

Gymnastics Captures UNC Quad Title To Open 2024 Campaign

Players Mentioned

Lindsay Fuller

Victoria Henry

Zoe Middleton

Ava Molina

Suki Pfister

Hannah Ruthberg

Grace Sumner

Ashley Szymanski

Megan Teter