Spring Break has started off on the right foot for Ball State gymnastics. The team defeated Bowling Green University Friday evening at Irving Gym, 194.025 -193.900.
"I'm super proud of the team for going out there and hitting all there routines on the same day." coach Nadalie Walsh said. "I think that is really important to them and really important to us."
For the second weekend in a row the team was lead by all-around gymnast Nicole Allen. In half of the events Allen competed in tonight she placed.
"I just felt that the energy from the team was really awesome," Allen said "It just made it that much easier for all of us to go out there."
The Cardinals could not pull out a win on vault and it was the only rotation that the team lost tonight. The highest scorer for Ball State was Allen tying for third with Lacey Swords of Bowling Green. Both finished with scores of 9.775.
"They are not satisfied so I think you are going to continue to see the scores increase throughout the year," Walsh said.
Ball State was able to pull a slight lead over Bowling Green on bars this evening. The top spots were ties between the two universities. Kayla Kmiecik from Ball State and Monica Eaton from Bowling Green both scored 9.8, tying for first. In a tie for second place was Allen and Gina Locigno of Bowling Green both scoring 9.775.
"Sticks on the dismount really make the difference," Allen said. "Especially in a close meet like this, just every tenth counts."
Although a Cardinal did not place in the top three on beam the team was still able to pull off the win. They beat Bowling Green 48.450 to 48.200 in this rotation.
"Senior Kayla Kmiecik doing so well on bars and anchoring us up and finishing strong on beam," Walsh said. "It was really good to see her back."
The Cardinals dominated floor, taking all three top spots. Aftyn Siemer took first place scoring 9.80. Teammate Angie Hosbach scored 9.8 finishing second. Rounding out the top three was Emily Wehrle scoring 9.750.
"That is our floor routines," Walsh said. "We are finally getting back up to the difficulty they were at last year."
The team now gets a five-day break to relax and enjoy Spring Break. They will return to the gym later in the week to prepare for a meet at Kentucky on Sunday March 11 at 2 p.m.
"We were not going to be successful today if they every one of them didn't show up," Walsh said. "Break didn't start today break starts tomorrow. I'm really encouraged they get quite a few days off and I think it will be really great for there bodies and there minds."
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