MUNCIE, Ind. — This past Sunday afternoon, Rutgers gymnastics went on the road to Worthen Arena, claiming a first-place finish with a 194.975 score, knocking off host Ball State and Western Michigan in the Scarlet Knights’ first road meet of the year.

While Rutgers walked away with the team victory, Ball State left plenty to feel good about in its 2026 season opener, finishing second with a 194.275 and splitting the tri with a win over Western Michigan.

The Cardinals impressed with 12 scores of 9.750 or higher and delivered the best team beam score of the day (48.775). Senior Zoe Middleton tied her career-high with a 9.900 on beam, while junior Ashley Szymanski matched that score on bars, continuing her reputation as one of the Mid-American Conference’s top performers. Freshman Carley Stalder was a standout newcomer, earning her first collegiate event win by tying for the vault title with a 9.850 in her debut.

Both programs will have little time to dwell on Sunday’s results as Rutgers now turns its focus to Big Ten competition, opening conference play this Saturday against Ohio State. The meet is set for 4 p.m. at Jersey Mike’s Arena, where the Scarlet Knights will look to carry their road momentum back home against one of the league’s perennial contenders.

Ball State, meanwhile, returns to Worthen Arena next Sunday, Jan. 18, to host Bowling Green in a meet themed “K-Pop Demon Hunters Day.”