Kalamazoo, Michigan – A pair of career-best performances on the balance beam propelled the Ball State gymnastics team to a strong finish at Western Michigan on Sunday, though the Cardinals ultimately fell to the Broncos 195.825 to 195.575. Juniors Delaney McMahon and Ashley Szymanski each earned a 9.925 on beam, tying the individual program record and highlighting a meet where Ball State gymnasts claimed three of the four individual event titles.
The impressive showing came as the Cardinals wrapped up a weekend of competition, according to head coach Joanna Saleem. “The team stayed in the meet until the very end,” Saleem said. “I am proud of their ability to stay present and function together to block out distractions. We did a lot of traveling this weekend and gained a lot of great experience One can build on heading into the last stretch of the season.”
While the team’s overall score wasn’t enough for a victory, the individual accomplishments were significant. McMahon’s score marked the second time in her Ball State career she’s achieved a 9.925 on beam, while Szymanski reached the milestone for the first time. The duo’s back-to-back routines closed out the meet with a flourish, demonstrating the team’s resilience and skill.
Cardinals Claim Multiple Event Titles
Beyond the beam success, Ball State gymnasts showcased their talent across multiple events. Senior Mary Rose Bellan started the afternoon strong, winning the uneven bars title with a score of 9.800. The Cardinals continued their momentum into the vault, where senior Zoe Middleton and freshman Carley Stalder tied for first place with matching scores of 9.850. Middleton’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as she also secured her fifth all-around victory of the season with a score of 39.225, her second-highest all-around score of the year.
The Cardinals demonstrated consistency throughout the competition, tallying a total of 10 scores of 9.800 or higher. This strong performance resulted in their second-highest team score of the season, signaling continued improvement as the season progresses.
A Look at the Rotations
Ball State began the meet on uneven bars, with Bellan leading the way with her winning score of 9.800. Middleton and sophomore Karli Mercer tied for fifth overall with scores of 9.725, while junior Ava Molina contributed a 9.675. Moving to the vault, Middleton and Stalder’s shared victory highlighted the rotation, complemented by a career-high 9.800 from Bellan, and solid scores from freshman Ava Thurston (9.775) and Mercer (9.750).
On floor exercise, Middleton once again led the Cardinals with a score of 9.825. Molina followed closely with a 9.800, while senior Alauna Simms and junior Lindsay Girard both posted scores of 9.750. Sophomore Avery Kantor rounded out the scoring with a 9.725. The meet culminated with the exceptional beam performances from McMahon and Szymanski, supported by scores of 9.825 from Middleton, 9.800 from Stalder, and 9.775 from junior Lindsay Fuller.
Middleton’s All-Around Dominance
Zoe Middleton’s consistent performance throughout the meet secured her fifth all-around win of the season. Her score of 39.225 was a testament to her versatility and skill, with strong showings on all four apparatuses. She tied for the vault title with a 9.850 and earned scores of 9.825 on both beam and floor, and 9.725 on bars. Middleton’s leadership and consistent scoring are proving crucial for the Cardinals as they navigate the remainder of their season.
The Ball State gymnastics team will continue their season on Friday, February 27th, at 7 p.m. When they compete at the Pittsburgh Quad, facing off against the host Pittsburgh Panthers, as well as Temple and Towson.
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