The gymnastics team saved its best score of the year for the last meet of the season. Ball State posted a 192.850 at the Mid-American Conference Championships on Friday in DeKalb, Ill.
The Cardinals finished fifth overall after posting their highest score of the year by over half a point. Their previous high was a 192.200 in a win against Eastern Michigan.
"It was an incredible meet," head coach Mary Roth said. "We peaked at the right time."
Kent State won the title with a team score of 195.000.
BSU narrowly missed out on a third place finish. Brittany George touched the floor with her hand after landing during her vault routine, which resulted in a half point deduction. That half point would have placed the Cards in third place.
Two-time defending champ Central Michigan finished in second (194.650). The Chippewas went undefeated in the MAC season, but lost one of their top gymnasts (Sara Reighard) in their most recent meet due to injury.
"We knew that would affect them," Roth said. "If you lose a major player, you can't replace that person."
Senior Jessica Surridge captured the vault title with a score of 9.775. Surridge also tied for fourth on bars (9.825).
"Jessica was on fire," Roth said. "She did a perfect, perfect vault."
Surridge's career at Ball State might not yet be finished. There is a possibility that she will qualify to compete at Regionals in Alabama, due to her all-around scores during the season.
Fellow senior Quiana Williams finished her career strongly by finishing tied for second on beam with a score of 9.850.
Freshman Erica Gilkerson tied for seventh on the floor with a score of 9.750. Senior Kelli Davis was the top all-around finisher for BSU, finishing sixth with a 38.425.
The Cards posted scores of 48.725 on beam, 48.450 on bars, 48.325 on floor and 47.350 on vault.
The reason for the highest team score of the year according to Roth was the leadership displayed by the seniors.
"The seniors just finally became the leaders they were supposed to be all year," Roth said. "It was nice to see them do well."
The atmosphere was also a key to the Cards success. Roth said the fans and parents were loud and supportive, wearing face paint and T-shirts that spelled out "GO BSU!"
"It was the funnest meet," Roth said. "The parents were cheering like crazy. When you're having a great time and kicking butt, it's infectious and stays that way."
Ball State finished the season with a 3-17 overall record, 1-5 in MAC competition.
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