Gymnastics Quad Title; You Belong With Me

MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State gymnastics team opened its 2025 "Home Era" with a sweep of the Ball State Quad Sunday afternoon on Taylor Swift Eras Day in Worthen Arena.

It was karma for the Cardinals (5-1), as its team score of 194.450 topped last season's NCAA Regional rival Illinois (194.175), along with SEMO (189.750) and Wisconsin-Eau Claire (181.500).

"Today was a really fun meet," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "We had a very energetic crowd which we were able to feed off. They were in it for every routine and helped us build momentum and finish the meet strong. It was our second weekend out, and while we know we have things we can work on, I am proud of how the team stayed together throughout the entire competition."

Once again, the Cardinals saved their best for last, turning in the meet's best overall rotation on floor with a score of 49.150. In fact, Ball State registered the top five individual floor scores with the final routine by junior Zoe Middleton being the highest scoring routine of the meet as she posted a 9.900 to win the event title.

Graduate Hannah Ruthberg, who was battling illness, was also able to shake it off to earn her first all-around title of the season with a score of 39.000. Her day included a 9.850 on floor, a 9.800 on vault, a 9.700 on beam and a 9.650 on bars.

Overall, Ball State's gymnasts continued to live up to their reputation by producing nine total scores of 9.800-or-higher.

"Overall, I am really proud of the way we were able to come out and compete today," Saleem added. "Knowing that some of our student-athletes have been battling illness, and that it was the first week of classes, there could have been so many excuses. They didn't focus on that, they came out and focused on the gymnastics. If we can keep that up throughout the season, continue growing and developing, great things will follow."

ROTATION 1 – VAULT (48.700)
- Middleton and Ruthberg tied for second on vault, each landing routines of 9.800
- Senior Carissa Martinez was not far behind with a 9.725.
- The Cardinals also counted scores of 9.700 from freshman Karli Mercer and a 9.675 from senior Cai Afalla.

ROTATION 2 – BARS (48.175)
- Middleton earned her second 9.800 of the day, tying for the event win on bars.
- Ruthberg was second on the squad with a 9.650, while sophomore Ava Molina and senior Grace Sumner added scores of 9.600.

ROTATION 3 – BEAM (48.425)
- Ball State's 48.425 was the best beam team score of the day and was led by 9.800s from Sumner and sophomore Ashley Szymanski.
- Molina followed with a career-best beam routine of 9.775, while Ruthberg added a 9.700.

ROTATION 4 – FLOOR (49.150)
- Ball State secure the meet win by dominating floor, posting the five best individual scores in the event.
- Middleton led the way with her 9.900 in the final routine, however it was Ruthberg's 9.850 moments earlier which sealed the victory over the Fighting Illini to avenge last season's NCAA Regional team loss.
- Junior Alauna Simms took third with a career-best 9.825 to earn meet MVP honors for the Cardinals.
- Rounding out the top five were a 9.800 from Martinez and a career-high tying 9.775 from Molina.

ALL-AROUND
- Ruthberg claimed the individual all-around title with her 39.000, while Middleton placed second at 38.850.

UP NEXT
The Ball State gymnastics team returns to action at 6 p.m. Friday when it travels to Eastern Michigan for the Golden Girls Classic. In addition to the Cardinals and host Eagles, Northern Illinois and Winona State will compete in the quad meet.

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Players Mentioned

Cai Afalla

Carissa Martinez

Karli Mercer

Zoe Middleton

Ava Molina

Hannah Ruthberg

Alauna Simms

Grace Sumner

Ashley Szymanski