The Ball State University gymnastics team continued Mid-American Conference action on Sunday afternoon as it lost its home opener against Central Michigan University 192.925 to 191.525 in Worthen Arena.
Although the change of venue from Irving Gym, which is under construction, provided a change of scenery for the Cardinals, coach Nadalie Walsh said the team started their home stand just where they left off in 2008.
"That's the score we got at conference [MAC Championships] last year," Walsh said. "We need to keep this energy going."
High scores for the Cardinals included Teresa Phipps placing first on the vault with a 9.85 and placing second overall in the all-around with a 38.550.
The Cardinals, 1-3 (0-3 MAC), kept Central Michigan within striking distance through the first two events of the afternoon, the vault and uneven bars, holding the scoring differential to a 0.5 point Chippewa lead.
But with three falls during the six Cardinal balance beam competitors, the point margin quickly swayed.
"They just cannot over think the beam," Walsh said. "It's the easiest skill they do because it's on a line. They just need to not get nervous and try too hard on the events they know they can do it on."
In a season highlighted by injuries, the Cardinals have continually been able to find out a little more about themselves each week, assistant coach Katie Malott said.
"With each meet, they find more and more of what they are as a team," Malott said. "We've been really lucky because our team chemistry is awesome; they [freshmen] mesh right in with the program and where we want it to go."
The Cardinals continue with MAC play in the following two weeks, playing host to Northern Illinois University and then traveling to Eastern Michigan University.
Valuable things have been gained from the past three losses, Walsh says, but the season is still focused on the bigger picture.
"It's only fourth meet for some of them," Walsh said. "We are climbing the ladder, we're increasing on points and scores every week, and I think these girls are capable of adding two to three more points this season [on collective routines]. With a young team, we just have to keep building and keep climbing."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
