Ball State University Athletics
Szymanski & Stalder Named MAC Gymnasts To Watch
January 02, 2026 | Gymnastics
CLEVELAND - - With the start of the 2026 season upon us, the Mid-American Conference has announced its annual preseason coaches' poll with Ball State gymnastics selected to finished third in the league.
The Cardinals, who also earned one vote to win the regular season title, received 23 total points to tie with Eastern Michigan for the third spot. Central Michigan (33 points) and Kent State (31) were picked first and second, respectively, with each earning three first-place votes.
Rounding out the league were Western Michigan (19 points), Bowling Green (12 points) and Northern Illinois (six points). Central Michigan and Kent State also picked up three votes apiece to win the MAC Gymnastics Championship, while Western Michigan earned the final vote.
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Along with the team prognostications, two Cardinals were selected to the 2026 MAC Gymnasts to Watch list. Representing Ball State on the list were junior Ashley Szymanski and freshman Carley Stalder.
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Szymanski is the two-time defending MAC individual bars champion and was the 2025 MAC Specialist of the Year. A two-time First Team All-MAC selection and the 2024 MAC Freshman of the Year, Szymanski has also represented the Cardinals on bars at NCAA Regionals in each of the last two seasons.
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Stalder will make her collegiate debut this season after an impressive prep career at Five-Star Gymnastics Academy of Ohio. A two-time Level 10 National Qualifier, Stalder was the 2024 Ohio State Floor Champion, while also earning a runner-up finishes on vault and in the all-around.
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The Ball State gymnastics team officially opens the 2026 season Sunday, Jan. 11, when it hosts Rutgers and Western Michigan for Squishmallows Day. Action is set for 1 p.m. in Worthen Arena.
Fans can purchase season tickets for the entire 2026 home slate by visiting https://BallStateSports.com/GymTickets or by calling the Ball State tickets office at 1.888.BSU.TICKET.
2026 MAC Gymnastics Preseason Coaches' Poll (First Place Votes)
1. Central Michigan – 33 points (3)
2. Kent State – 31 points (3)
T3. Ball State – 23 points (1)
T3. Eastern Michigan – 23 points
5. Western Michigan – 19 points
6. Bowling Green – 12 points
7. Northern Illinois – 6 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Central Michigan (3), Kent State (3), Western Michigan (1)
2026 MAC Gymnasts to Watch
Ashley Szymanski, Junior, Ball State
Carley Stalder, Freshman, Ball State
Keira Thornton, Junior, Bowling Green
Megan Dzialo, Junior, Bowling Green
Luciana Alvarado-Reid, Senior, Central Michigan
Samantha Shannon, Junior, Central Michigan
Kyrie Lowe, Senior, Eastern Michigan
Keeley Kohler, Sophomore, Eastern Michigan
Charlie Behner, Senior, Kent State
Ashley Morgan, Junior, Kent State
Ashlie Leage, Junior, Northern Illinois
Deziray Boykin, Freshman, Northern Illinois
Julie Korfhage, Junior, Western Michigan
Casey Mooney, Freshman, Western Michigan
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The Cardinals, who also earned one vote to win the regular season title, received 23 total points to tie with Eastern Michigan for the third spot. Central Michigan (33 points) and Kent State (31) were picked first and second, respectively, with each earning three first-place votes.
Rounding out the league were Western Michigan (19 points), Bowling Green (12 points) and Northern Illinois (six points). Central Michigan and Kent State also picked up three votes apiece to win the MAC Gymnastics Championship, while Western Michigan earned the final vote.
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Along with the team prognostications, two Cardinals were selected to the 2026 MAC Gymnasts to Watch list. Representing Ball State on the list were junior Ashley Szymanski and freshman Carley Stalder.
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Szymanski is the two-time defending MAC individual bars champion and was the 2025 MAC Specialist of the Year. A two-time First Team All-MAC selection and the 2024 MAC Freshman of the Year, Szymanski has also represented the Cardinals on bars at NCAA Regionals in each of the last two seasons.
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Stalder will make her collegiate debut this season after an impressive prep career at Five-Star Gymnastics Academy of Ohio. A two-time Level 10 National Qualifier, Stalder was the 2024 Ohio State Floor Champion, while also earning a runner-up finishes on vault and in the all-around.
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The Ball State gymnastics team officially opens the 2026 season Sunday, Jan. 11, when it hosts Rutgers and Western Michigan for Squishmallows Day. Action is set for 1 p.m. in Worthen Arena.
Fans can purchase season tickets for the entire 2026 home slate by visiting https://BallStateSports.com/GymTickets or by calling the Ball State tickets office at 1.888.BSU.TICKET.
2026 MAC Gymnastics Preseason Coaches' Poll (First Place Votes)
1. Central Michigan – 33 points (3)
2. Kent State – 31 points (3)
T3. Ball State – 23 points (1)
T3. Eastern Michigan – 23 points
5. Western Michigan – 19 points
6. Bowling Green – 12 points
7. Northern Illinois – 6 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Central Michigan (3), Kent State (3), Western Michigan (1)
2026 MAC Gymnasts to Watch
Ashley Szymanski, Junior, Ball State
Carley Stalder, Freshman, Ball State
Keira Thornton, Junior, Bowling Green
Megan Dzialo, Junior, Bowling Green
Luciana Alvarado-Reid, Senior, Central Michigan
Samantha Shannon, Junior, Central Michigan
Kyrie Lowe, Senior, Eastern Michigan
Keeley Kohler, Sophomore, Eastern Michigan
Charlie Behner, Senior, Kent State
Ashley Morgan, Junior, Kent State
Ashlie Leage, Junior, Northern Illinois
Deziray Boykin, Freshman, Northern Illinois
Julie Korfhage, Junior, Western Michigan
Casey Mooney, Freshman, Western Michigan
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