Having a non-conference competition in the middle of the season gives teams a unique opportunity to try new things in an effort to improve.
Ball State University gymnastics coach Nadalie Walsh said she plans to take full advantage of her team's opportunity Saturday at the University of Denver.
"The people that have not been consistent every single meet, I'm either taking them out or putting somebody new in," she said. "I'm going to do something different to find something that works."
Some of the changes include junior Cobie Zuk competing in the floor event and having freshman Katelyn Busacker compete on the beam, Walsh said.
Also, Walsh said she will be tinkering with the order of her lineup. She said she wants to have her stronger routines go first in hope the judges don't have the scores decline as rapidly as the team cycles through its performances.
"I feel the most confident about the lineup I have for this meet than I have all year," she said. "I just have a sense of peace about it."
This will be the first competition for the Cardinals since Jan. 18 that is not against a Mid-American Conference foe. So far the Cardinals have lost all five of their meets.
Competing outside of the MAC relieves a lot of the pressure for the team, Walsh said. All the gymnasts have to worry about is going out and performing to the best of their abilities.
"They have nothing to lose going into this meet," Walsh said. "All they can do is gain everything by getting the best team score of the year."
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