For the second straight competition, the Ball State University gymnastics team (1-5, 0-2 Mid-American Conference) lost while scoring in the high 180's. Traveling to Denton, Texas to compete against Texas Women's University, the Cardinals fell 188.875-191.525.
Brigham Young University was also in Denton Saturday to compete against Texas Women's University. Although Ball State and Brigham Young both competed against Texas Women's University at the same time the two universities did not compete against one another.
Senior Jenna Tarkington led the Cardinals on the vault with a score of 9.675. Senior Kelly Watson had her highest score in the floor exercise with 9.725, which put her in fourth place. She also scored a 38.475 in the all-around competition. She was the only Cardinal to compete in all four events.
Coach Lisa Simonton said she has been impressed with Watson's recent performances.
"Kelly hit all four events," Simonton said. "She has been Miss Consistent for us lately. She is a great senior leader to this team."
A handful of freshmen led the Cardinals in the uneven parallel bars and balance beam.
"We got so many ready to break into the routine," Simonton said. "All of our exhibition performers hit. I reward a hit routine. We could see some changes in our lineup."
Freshman Alex Tuthill tied for fifth place on the balance beam with a score of 9.725. Freshman Bibiana Rodriguez, sophomore Cobie Zuk, and freshman Brittani Ricks were the three highest scoring Cardinals on the bars with scores of 9.625, 9.550, and 9.475 respectively. Rodriguez's 9.625 was good for a third place finish.
"Bibi has great potential," Simonton said. "Cobie didn't really get to compete last year, but she has stepped it up. She performed great. Brittani was put into a pressure situation and she did well."
The Cardinals have not scored more than 190 points yet this season, but also have not scored less than 185. During the last three competitions the Cardinals have scored between 188.875 and 189.325.
"We actually made a big step, a good step," Simonton said. "We didn't have any event that we totally bombed. We had been doing that all season. We had some problems here and there but we had a good score in all four events for the first time."
The Cardinals will try to continue their consistent scoring when competing at Eastern Michigan University Saturday, and look for their first MAC victory of the season.
While the Cardinals would like to get the victory they aren't all too concerned with winning.
"No one likes to lose, but as far as our record is concerned it doesn't matter," Simonton said. "You could be winless and still qualify for because of how gymnastics is set up."
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