Resting on its accomplishments is not an option for the Ball State University gymnastics team.
Coming off a second place finish and season-high in the New Hampshire Invitational last Sunday, Ball State (2-2, 0-1 Mid-American Conference) returns to action when it plays host to the Cardinal Classic today. Southeast Missouri State University (2-0) and the University of Illinois-Chicago (0-3) are coming to Worthen Arena for a 1 p.m. start.
Coach Nadalie Walsh is excited about the opportunity to perform in front of the Worthen audience.
'It's great to have our own crowd for the first time,' she said. 'It's nice to know everyone is rooting for you.'
In one piece of good news, senior Ashley Jacob should return to the Cardinal lineup this weekend after missing the first two meets with an injury. Jacob competed on the uneven bars and the vault in all 12 meets last season.
Other than the addition of Jacob, Walsh said that most of the gymnasts that competed last weekend should see action at the Classic.
'I'm feeling pretty good about our lineup,' she said.
Walsh said that a goal for this week is to match the intensity and focus that the team had the week prior. She said she wants them to be enthusiastic and energetic when necessary, and calm and collected when it's called for.
The Redhawks and the Flames are familiar foes to one another. Both are in the Midwest Independent Conference and they have already faced off this season. Southeast Missouri State defeated Illinois-Chicago 190.275-186.3 on Jan. 9.
Southeast Missouri State has a mix of youth and experience on its squad. Senior Rikara Turner and freshman Jordan Salsberg are likely to compete in the all-around.
Illinois-Chicago is still looking for its first win of the season. Sophomore Rachel Montoya tied for first in the balance beam against Southeast Missouri State.
Walsh said that she is looking forward to the non-conference competition. She said seeing different competition is good for the development of her team.
The Cardinals have a good opportunity to win their first Classic under Walsh. Last season, Ball State lost to Southeast Missouri State in an away meet. The team defeated Illinois-Chicago in their last meeting in 2008.
The Cardinal Classic was started in the late-'80s by then-head coach Mary Roth. The meet used to feature a number of teams each year - at its peak, six to seven teams were common for the event. Walsh said that she hopes to recreate that atmosphere in the future. Having three teams this year is a good start, she said.
As of the second weekend of the season ending last Sunday, Ball State has some good news regarding its conference hopes. The Cardinals have tallied the highest team score in the MAC with a 192.85.
'It's the highest in the conference, but it's not high enough yet,' Walsh said. 'We're not settling for that [score]. There's work to be done.'
Central Michigan University currently has the highest average score in the conference with Ball State ranking third in that category.
Ball State also has some individual leaders in the conference as well. Sophomore Brittney Emmons is the top scoring competitor on the floor exercise. Her score was greatly enhanced by her 9.9 last weekend, including a perfect 10 from one judge. Freshman Tiffany Brodbeck has the second highest floor exercise score.
On the uneven bars, redshirt freshman Julie Cotter and senior Bibiana Rodriguez share the top balance beam score of the season with Katie Simon of Central Michigan. After missing the first meet against Western Michigan University with a nagging back injury, Cotter posted a 9.775 on the bars.
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