MUNCIE, Ind. - In her first collegiate competition, Stalder turned nerves into confidence by winning the vault for the Cardinals.
Since then, she has continued to build momentum, earning multiple event wins and ranking among the top performers in the Mid-American Conference.
Stalder says her success began long before competition day, when she chose Ball State.
“What stood out to me was the team and the coaches,” Stalder said. “It was everything I was looking for in a program. They made me feel comfortable right away, and I knew this was where I wanted to be.”
Adjusting to college life has been a challenge, as she balances training, competitions, and her academic responsibilities.
“There is nothing like being a college athlete,” she said. “It was as challenging as I expected, but I love the challenge. It motivates me to work even harder.”
Earlier this season, Stalder earned her first MAC Gymnast of the Week honor. She tied her career-high score of 9.850 on vault. She also posted a career-best 9.875 on beam in a conference win.
She says the recognition came as a surprise.
“I didn’t really expect it,” Stalder said. “It was really special to be recognized.”
Despite her early success, Stalder remains focused on improvement and team success.
“I just want to keep getting better every week and do whatever I can for the team,” Stalder said.
With growing confidence and high goals, Stalder looks forward to continuing her breakout freshman season at Ball State.
Contact Sophie Korthuijs with comments at sophie.korthuijs@bsu.edu
