BGSU gymnastics (1-3) (0-3) take on the Ball State Cardinals (9-2) (2-1) on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 2 pm in the Stroh Center.
Bowling Green head coach Brittney Emmons was a gymnast for Ball State from 2009 to 2013. She won the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Senior Gymnast of the Year Award with the Cardinals. Sunday’s dual meet marks the first time she will face off against her alma mater.
Matchup History
The Falcons and the Cardinals’ gymnastics history dates back to 1975. The Falcons slightly lead the matchup 27 to 21.
However, Ball State has won eight of the last ten matchups against Bowling Green. Bowling Green hasn’t won at home against Ball State in eight years.
Bowling Green Overview
The Falcons got their first victory under first-year head coach Brittney Emmons last Sunday against Southeast Missouri State (SEMO), 192.600-192.375. The win was part of a tri-meet that included a three-point loss to Central Michigan. Bowling Green now has two losses against Central Michigan this season and one against Eastern Michigan.
The balance beam and floor exercise events will be crucial for the Falcons to change their poor conference play narrative against Ball State. The 46.675 balance beam performance last week was Bowling Green’s worst of the year. However, the 48.575 floor exercise saved Bowling Green from losing to SEMO.
Ball State Overview
Ball State’s gymnastics program has taken off under twelfth-year head coach Joanna Saleem’s watch. All top 37 scores in Ball State history have came during her era as head coach. Saleem has continued her success this year, leading the Cardinals to a 9-2 record.
Ball State has won one quad meet and finished second in two quad meets. Sunday will be their first dual meet of the season so far. Ball State has a quality win against BIG-10 opponent, Illinois. They also have four-point and five-point victories over SEMO.
Falcon Four Gymnasts to Watch
Megan Bingham (Junior, Bowling Green)
Bingham has been the best all-around gymnast for the Falcons so far. She is the only gymnast thus far who has competed in every event in every meet.
While this all-around consistency is great, her presence on the balance beam makes her crucial in Sunday’s contest. Bingham has a team-high average score of 9.467 on the beam this year.
Keira Thornton (Sophomore, Bowling Green)
Thornton has been one of the best floor gymnasts this season for the Falcons. She scored over a 9.7 in two of the three meets, including a season-high 9.775 last week against SEMO & CMU.
She also has been a top vaulter for Bowling Green this year, scoring over a 9.7 in every meet.
Zoe Middleton (Junior, Ball State)
Middleton has been the best overall gymnast for the Cardinals for the past two years. Her 39.750 all-around score last season against Kent State was the highest in program history. The performance included a perfect ten on the uneven bars, a 9.950 on the vault and a 9.925 on the floor.
This season Middleton’s won an all-around championship against Wilberforce and has multiple first-place finishes on the floor.
Ashley Szymanski (Sophomore, Ball State)
Szymanski will be a huge factor in Sunday’s meet because of her spectacular skill on uneven bars. The sophomore already has eight career wins on bars, including three this season.
