Middleton Shines; Captures MAC Championships All-Around Title

MUNCIE, Ind. - - It was another thrilling day in Worthen Arena for the Ball State gymnastics team which took home titles in three of four individual events and the all-around on the way to a second-place finish at the 2024 Mid-American Conference Championships.

"I am proud of our athletes and the way these young women came out focused from the first routines to the last routine," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "It was something incredible to be part of. They kept their cool, they kept their focus and just had a stellar meeting. I am extremely proud of the way they went out and competed today."

Overall, the Cardinals finished the day with a team score of 196.475 and counted 15 scores of 9.800-or-higher. Unfortunately, it was just shy of Western Michigan who would capture the event championship with a team score of 196.525.

Leading the way for the Cardinals was sophomore Zoe Middleton, who became just the second gymnast in program history to capture the all-around title with a score of 39.525. The effort included three additional medals, as she tied for the event wins on beam (9.900) and floor (9.900), while tying for third on vault (9.900).

Middleton's all-around score was .275 higher than any other league gymnast, and she was the only athlete on the day to record three scores of 9.900-or-higher.

She was not Ball State's only individual champion crowned on Saturday, however, as freshman Ashley Szymanski earned her first MAC title by tying for the top spot on bars with a 9.925. In addition, for her effort the entire season, Szymanski became the first player in program history to earn MAC Freshman of the Year honors.

Rounding out Ball State's individual event champions on Saturday was senior Suki Pfister who tied with Middleton and four others for the event win on floor with a 9.900. That was not Pfister's only honor on the day, however, as she was also named the MAC Specialist of the Year for the third straight season.

The Cardinals also received one more specialty award on the day, with Saleem being named the MAC Coach of the Year for the third time in the past four season.

"I am humbled and honored to be voted the MAC Coach of the Year again," Saleem said. "As I just told the team, this is truly a team award. None of us to this by ourselves, for me, it's the amazing staff I have and the amazing student-athletes I have the privilege of coaching that makes this possible. From top to bottom, every person helps make this a special program."

The Cardinals opened the meet on floor, turning in a team score of 49.250, led by Middleton and Pfister who tied for the event win. Ball State also counted a 9.875 by senior Victoria Henry, a 9.800 from graduate Megan Teter and a 9.975 by junior Carissa Martinez.

After its first bye, Ball State turned its attention to vault and tallied three scores of 9.800-or-higher, once again led by Middleton's 9.900. Teter followed with a 9.850, while senior Hannah Ruthberg turned in a 9.800.

The Cardinals best rotation of the day came in the fifth of seven total rotations, with BSU leading all seven MAC schools with a 49.200 on bars. Along with Szymanski's title, the Cardinals counted a 9.850 from Ruthberg, 9.825s from Middleton and junior Grace Sumner, as well as a 9.775 from freshman Ava Molina.

Ball State closed out the day with another solid showing, putting up the meet's second-best showing on beam at 49.000. Along with Middleton's title, the Cardinals also received a 9.875 from Szymanski, a 9.825 from Ruthberg and a 9.800 from Sumner.

With three scores of 9.800-or-better, Ruthberg would take fourth in the all-around with a 39.175. Teter rounded out her MAC career with an all-around mark of 38.275, paced by her 9.850 vault and 9.800 floor routine.

With a National Qualifying Score (NQS) of 196.520 entering Saturday's championship meet, the Cardinals were already a look for an NCAA Regional berth. Ball State will find out its NCAA fate on Monday on the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Selection Show.

Stay tuned to BallStateSports.com for updates.

Middleton Shines; Captures MAC Championships All-Around Title

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Victoria Henry

Carissa Martinez

Zoe Middleton

Ava Molina

Suki Pfister

Hannah Ruthberg

Grace Sumner

Ashley Szymanski

Megan Teter