Their final placings weren't spectacular, but coach Nadalie Walsh was more than happy with the effort from her gymnasts.
Junior Brittney Emmons and sophomore Nicole Allen combined to hit seven of eight routines.
"I think that's a huge accomplishment," Walsh said. "They did a really good job."
Walsh admitted Saturday's performances weren't the best for either gymnast, but she expressed her joy for the overall quality the duo showed.
"They did what they do pretty consistently," Walsh said. "They didn't over-try. They didn't hold back."
Allen posted the highest individual event results between the two Cardinals. Her 9.75 on the vault and 9.775 on the floor exercise were both good for 21st place.
The sole missed routine came on the balance beam for Nicole Allen. She fell during her first trick of the event but came back to finish the beam and the rest of the meet without a major mistake.
Emmons finished with the higher all-around score of 38.775.
"She is able to just do her gymnastics in any arena, anywhere," Walsh said.
Alabama ran away with the team title at the Central Regional, sweeping the individual titles. In a close contest for second place and a trip to the national championship, No. 14 Illinois defeated the other four teams as less than a point separated second through sixth.
Around the country, No. 24 Kent State — the lowest-ranked team at its regional site — upset its competition to qualify for nationals as a team for the first time.
For more on Saturday's meet, including reactions from Emmons and Allen, check Monday's issue of The Ball State Daily News.
Unofficial results (out of 42 competitors)
Vault
Nicole Allen – 9.75 (21st)
Brittney Emmons – 9.725 (27th)
Uneven Bars
Nicole Allen – 9.725 (28th)
Brittney Emmons – 9.675 (34th)
Balance Beam
Brittney Emmons – 9.65 (35th)
Nicole Allen – 9.05 (41st)
Floor Exericse
Nicole Allen – 9.775 (21st)
Brittney Emmons – 9.725 (31st)
All-Around
Brittney Emmons – 38.775
Nicole Allen – 38.3
Pre-meet rankings
Vault
Allen – 15th
Emmons – 26th
Uneven bars
Emmons – 33rd
Allen – 38th
Balance beam
Allen – 35th
Emmons – 38th
Floor exercise
Allen – 27th
Emmons – 30th
All-around
Emmons – 15th
Allen – 16th
Team Results
* No. 2 Alabama – 197.275
* No. 14 Illinois – 195.925
No. 11 Penn State – 195.85
No. 22 Auburn – 195.6
Kentucky – 195.075
No. 25 Central Michigan – 195.075
* The top two teams advance to the NCAA championships beginning April 15
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