MUNCIE, Ind -- Earlier this month, gymnastics head coach Joanna Saleem eclipsed 100 career wins, cementing herself in Ball State history by becoming only the second head coach of the program to do so.
Sunday’s win over Western Michigan and Wilberforce marked number 101. They won the meet 195.550, over the Broncos score of 194.675 and the Bulldogs score of 173.100.
The success of the program has skyrocketed since she took over the program in 2013. In her 12-year span as a head coach, 103 out of the top 127 individual performances have occurred and Saleem has taken home the MAC coach of the year three separate times. Saleem doesn’t take all the credit though.
“It’s been humbling and exciting to be a part of the Ball State community,” Saleem said. “I really just appreciate everything that we have worked and built together. Yes, there is 100 wins, but you don’t do that by yourself.”
After taking the reins, she took the team to two back-to-back NCAA regional team appearances. Saleem has also coached them to repeat MAC championships in 2023 and 2024. She has also led the team to the highest score in team history at 198.025.
Senior Grace Sumner has been a member of Saleem’s team for the last four years and credits Saleem’s coaching ability beyond just the mat as a factor in her collegiate success.
“It’s great that we come in every day, and she is excited for us,” Sumner said. “She is ready for us to work and willing to put herself in the situation to get us moving. Sometimes we need a game, and she gives us a game to help us get out of the slump.”
Saleem knows that her team are student athletes and gives praise to administrators and professors for cultivating an academic environment and bringing in good students to her team.
“When I was a freshman, I was very unsure of what college had for me, and with Joanna, it's been great. Like helping me become the better person I am today and helping me with success outside of just the sport, like academics,” Sumner said.
Despite Saleem’s tenure being riddled with success, she always does her best to keep herself humble.
“We keep our focus right here, right now, today,” Saleem said, “At the end of the day if we focus too much on the outcomes, then we lose our way.”
Contact Josiah Veen with comments at Josiah.veen@bsu.edu.
