Following a controversial score change on the floor exercise, Bowling Green stole a victory from the Ball State gymnastics team Friday in the Cardinal Classic at Irving Gym.
Bowling Green coach Dan Connelly submitted an inquiry to have a floor score changed because he thought the judges determined a score incorrectly based on the degree of difficulty of the routine. The inquiry was at first denied. After Connelly reappealed, however, the score was changed, giving the Falcons the margin needed to win.
Ball State (4-3, 1-3 Mid-American Conference) posted a season-high score of 193.425, but Bowling Green (4-1) edged the Cardinals with a 193.475. Previously undefeated Big Ten member Illinois (5-2) placed third with 192.975.
Coach Mary Roth was disappointed by how her fellow MAC opponent won the contest.
"It was a very close meet," she said. "I don't feel that we lost because of our performance."
Competing in the all-around for only the second time this season, Jessica Surridge paced the Cardinals by finishing second overall with a 38.600. The junior led the Cards on bars (9.800), finishing second overall.
Courtney Vojtasek was the top finisher for Ball State on the beam and floor. Scoring a 9.825 on both events placed the senior second in each. Vojtasek also finished fourth overall in the all-around with a 38.425.
Fellow senior Jenny Taylor scored a 9.775 on the beam, her best score of the year.
Freshman Kelly Watson recorded career-highs in all three events in which she competed. Watson led the Cardinals on vault (9.750) and posted career-bests on bars (9.600) and beam (9.750).
Freshman Jenna Tarkington also scored a career-best 9.675 on vault. Tarkington tied a career-high on floor (9.725) and tallied a 38.225 on the all-around.
The Cardinals stepped up and recorded their best score of the year, despite another injury to one of the team's top gymnasts. Junior Kelli Davis injured her knuckle last week and will likely be out for the rest of the month.
Ball State also lost senior Quiana Williams earlier this season, who, along with Davis, competed in all four events.
"We did incredible minus our top two all-around (gymnasts)," Roth said.
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