Ball State, Kent State and Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan

Results

The Big Storyline: This was an extremely exciting conference meet that resulted in a big win and new program record for Ball State and season best scores for three of the four teams. The Cardinals ultimately walked away with a huge win here, making it clear that they are not to be so easily dismissed when thinking ahead to the conference championship.

Implications: The MAC is always a competitive conference, and this meet was great evidence as to why—you truly never know which team is going to come out on top. Ball State had a fantastic showing, notching a new program record with its 195.975. Western Michigan also demonstrated what its capable of, and was on 196 pace at the halfway mark. Eastern Michigan once again proved it is a beam team, with two athletes notching career-best scores on that event. It’s also worth noting that the Eagles recorded their best team score since 2019. Kent State had some big highlights as well, notably from reigning MAC Gymnast of the Week Abby Fletcher. 

Records: Ball State set its fourth program record in two years. Eastern Michigan had six gymnasts with career best performances (Cali Harden 9.800 on vault, Molly Parris 9.850 on bars, Hayden Crossen 9.900 on beam, Caitlin Satler 9.925 on beam, Kara Roberts and Jada Rondeau both with 9.900 on floor). Ball State freshman Victoria Henry notched a 9.925 for her stuck Yurchenko 1.5, and Taylor Waldo scored a career best 9.850 on beam.