Head coach Joanna Saleem talks to some of the gymnasts in between events during the meet against Townson on Jan. 17 at Worthen Arena. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY
SPORTS

Ball State sending most gymnasts to regional competition since 1999

Ball State will be sending the most competitors to the NCAA Regionals in the program's history, barring the team’s 1999 performance. The 1999 season was different, however, since the Cardinals qualified as a whole team. This time, four individuals and two alternates qualified with individual season scores.


Senior Denasiha Christian performs her routine on the beam during the meet against Illinois State and Eastern Michigan on Jan. 24 at Worthen Arena. DN PHOTO KORINA VALENZUELA
SPORTS

Denasiha Christian: From walk-on to regional competitor

After three years of being an alternate at the NCAA regionals, senior gymnast Denasiha Christian will be competing in two individual events in the Iowa City Regional. Even with her first place performances on both floor and vault at the Mid-American Conference championships, Christian didn't think she would qualify individually for regional competition.


Senior Angela Durkac performs her routine in the unparallel bars during the meet against Eastern Michigan and Illinois State on Jan. 24 in Worthen Arena. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY
SPORTS

Ten Gymnasts earn Academic All-MAC honors

Ball State gymnastics led the Mid-American Conference, with 10 different athletes earning Academic All-MAC honors. To qualify for the Academic All-MAC team, student athletes must compete in at least half of their teams' events and maintain at least a 3.20 GPA.



SPORTS

Ball State qualifies 5 gymnasts for regional competition

Ball State gymnastics had five individual gymnasts qualify for the National Collegiate Athletic Association Iowa City Regional. The five gymnasts who will be competing at the University of Iowa on April 2 include: senior Denasiha Christian, juniors Sarah Ebeyer and Kayla Beckler, as well as sophomores Baylee Bell and Jordyn Penny. Throughout the 2016 regular season, each one of the Cardinals' qualifiers competed in at least two of the team's events at each meet. As a team, the Cardinals broke the school record in the Mid-American Conference Championships with a score of 195.650. At Regional's, these five gymnasts will compete individually.



Fans holding up signs at Ball State gymnastics quad-meet on Feb. 14 at Worthen Arena. 
SPORTS

Ball State hosting MAC gymnastics championship

Worthen Arena will play host to the women's gymnastics Mid-American Conference on March 19. Ball State will compete against six other teams for the Championship. The other schools competing include Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan. While Ball State is 1-5 on the season against MAC opponents, the Cardinals have had several individuals finish among the top of the conference in individual categories. Senior Denasiha Christian holds the teams highest three scores on vault this season as well as the highest in the MAC with a 9.975.


The Ball State Gymnastics team signs posters for fans after their meet against Eastern Michigan and Illinois State on Jan. 24 in Worthen Arena. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY
SPORTS

Coaches, fans and players enjoy new gymnastics venue

Ball State gymnastics outgrew its previous home in Irving Gym, located in the Jo Ann Gora Student Recreation and Wellness Center, so it moved locations this season. The team now performs at Worthen Arena, like many other athletic teams at Ball State. “I was hoping that when we got down there, we would have more of an event-type atmosphere, and that has definitely happened,” head coach Joanna Saleem said. “You can turn the lights off and [make use of] the spotlights. I love that it is fun for the crowd to be able to participate. It is important for the fans to enjoy the event and want to come back”.







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