Perfect practice makes perfect.
While it may seem to be an oversimplification, this mentality is one the Ball State University gymnastics team looks to uphold tonight in a 7 p.m. meeting against defending Mid-American Conference Champion Kent State University.
"That's in the history," coach Nadalie Walsh said of Kent State. "Anything can change, and we're not a team that's just going to stand idle-by and let them repeat their victory."
The Golden Flashes, fresh off a 193.525-191.150 victory against No. 25 North Carolina State University, return three 2008 First Team All-MAC selections in Christina Lenny, Lydia Barrett and Rachel Stuck.
However, Walsh said Kent State's acclaim occupies the least of her team's concerns.
"In the sport of gymnastics, anything can happen," Walsh said. "We can't study their plays and then make it effective. We have to go out and do what we can do and not worry about anyone else."
By mid-week, Walsh said, the rigors of the Cardinals' practice routines were lessened in order to direct a valuable focus toward the fine details of sticking landings, finishing routines strongly, and carrying mental toughness.
Ball State, 1-1 (0-1 MAC), looks to ascertain those fine details this evening in hopes of eradicating last week's opening conference loss to Bowling Green State University, a meet accented by team-wide falls.
"The energy has been up, and we have been supportive of each other and trying to come together as a team," freshman Domenique DeRosa said. "We just have to keep a strong state of mind and pick each other up when we need it."
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