Ball State University Women's Gymnastics

To see the impact 13th-year head coach Joanna Saleem has made on Ball State gymnastics one has to look no further than the program’s record book. Entering th...

After competing her two-year career for the Ball State gymnastics program last season, Carissa Martinez enters her first year as a student assistant coach fo...

Kim Hermansen, a passionate and experienced coach with over two decades of experience developing young athletes, enters her first season as an assistant coach for the Ball State gymnastics program in 2026. Hermansen, who most recently served as Team Director at Bare Foot Gymnastics (2019-25) in St. George, Utah, will be the Cardinals' primary floor coach and choreographer. She will join the squad following the Labor Day holiday. "We are thrilled to welcome Kim to the Cardinals family," Saleem said. "She brings a wealth of high-level coaching experience and a deep commitment to athlete development, both in and out of the gym. Her enthusiasm, positive energy, and passion align perfectly with our vision for the future." At Bare Foot Gymnastics (2019-25), Hermansen choreographed custom routines for floor and beam to help her gymnasts enjoy success across all levels of competition. Her instructional emphasis on technique, safety, and fun resonated not only with her athletes but also with the junior staff members she mentored. "I'm incredibly honored to be joining such a strong program with a clear commitment to excellence," Hermansen said. "I look forward to contributing to the continued growth of Ball State gymnastics and helping our student-athletes thrive both in and out of the gym." Hermansen's coaching career spans both coasts, beginning at Vancouver Elite Gymnastics Academy in Washington, where she served as an Optional and Compulsory Assistant Team Coach (2011-12). After a

Wendy Carey, who has helped mentor her student-athletes to 25 All-America honors and a pair of individual national championships, enters her first season as a graduate assistant coach for the Ball State gymnastics program in 2024. “We are thrilled to welcome Wendy to our coaching staff,” head coach Joanna Saleem said. “Her extensive background in judging and collegiate coaching significantly enhances our program. Wendy is not only hardworking and dedicated, but also a fun and inspiring addition to our team. We look forward to the positive impact she will have on our student-athletes and the overall success of our program.” Carey joins the Ball State staff after spending the 2024 campaign at Talladega College, where she helped mentor four student-athletes to five All-American honors at the USA Gymnastics (USAG) National Collegiate Championships. The Tornados’ first and only season was highlighted by freshman Kyrstin Johnson whose score of 9.875 was strong enough to win the national title on vault at the meet. In doing so, Johnson became the first gymnast to earn a national championship while attending a historical black college or university (HBCU) in the state of Alabama. In addition, Carey helped Talladega become the first HBCU program to win an NCAA-sanctioned gymnastics meet when it topped both host Centenary College and Alaska Anchorage in the Sylvia Keiter Meet on Feb. 9, 2024. “I believe everything happens for a reason and when one door closes another opens,” Carey said