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Ball State Gymnastics is heading to the Mid-American Conference Championship

<p>Senior all-around Hannah Ruthberg dismounts her beam routine March 23 at the Mid-American Championship at Worthen Arena. Ruthberg ranked eleventh in beam overall. Andrew Berger, DN</p>

Senior all-around Hannah Ruthberg dismounts her beam routine March 23 at the Mid-American Championship at Worthen Arena. Ruthberg ranked eleventh in beam overall. Andrew Berger, DN

Ball State Gymnastics Head Coach Joanna Saleem wants her team to focus on enjoying themselves and gymnastics.

Heading to Mount Pleasant, Mich., the Cardinals will be competing Saturday at 2 p.m. against six other teams for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship.

Competing against Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Kent State and Western Michigan, Saleem wants to treat this meet like any other.

“The approach has to be the same as what it is for every other competition, and that's definitely something that we've talked about with the team, is just remembering what works for us and how to keep distractions to a minimum and to stay present so that they can enjoy what they're doing,” Saleem said.

Though, with the chaos of seven teams in a gym, the Cardinals have practiced ways to lock in when it's time to perform and stay present with each other while not.

Sophomore Ashley Szymanski echoed Saleem's approach of treating the meet like any other.

“We've been training the approach all season, and that's something that doesn't change with a meet like this,” Szymanski said. “So just going in and expecting the success that we've put the work into is not something necessarily new, but something that the gym Cards will be doing.”

Throughout the season, a big goal for the Cardinals has been focusing on adaptability and letting go of what they can't control, along with relying on and connecting with their teammates, Saleem said.

This mindset will keep the team focused and overcome challenges.

“Relying on the team is a big part of overcoming those challenges. We talk a lot about carrying your water and assigning proper weight to things, and … if somebody is struggling, they pick you up. And so I'm not worried about overcoming any challenges when I have the people that stand behind me,” Szymanski said.

Graduate Student Hannah Ruthberg agreed with the gymnastics mentality, adding that consistency will go a long way in the MAC championship.

“We start on that rhythm, and we stay in that rhythm,” Ruthberg said. “That's really going to help us find our groove and what works for us, and stay consistent with our energy. So I think that keeping that in mind will be helpful to maintaining.”

With this meet being Ruthberg's last MAC Tournament, there's an extra meaning and motivation for her to compete. Especially since she had to work hard to come back after recovering from an injury and surgery.

“For me it's, obviously being a fifth year, it's kind of the perfect closure,” Ruthberg said. “This team has been so special this entire year, and obviously coming back from injury … it just means so much more that actually I get to be here with them and put on the leo and be alongside them.”

With the team heading to the MAC with a positive, confident mentality, the team plans to have fun, like Saleem and the gymnastics program has been focusing on.

“This for us is going out and being confident, and having fun and showcasing all of the hard work that they've done all season,” Saleem said.

Along with their positive mindset, the Cardinals are proud and feel like this MAC could be anyone's.

“We're ready, and regardless of what happens on Saturday, the Cards will have won their season,” Ruthberg said.

Contact Hannah Amos via email at hannah.amos@bsu.edu or on X @Hannah_Amos_394.

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