Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
MAC Outdoor Championships
Track & Field Excels on Final Day of MAC Outdoor Championships
May 14, 2016 | Track & Field
TOLEDO, Ohio - - The Ball State track & field program saved its best for last, as the team scored in four events on the final day of the 2016 Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships hosted by Toledo at the UT Outdoor Track & Field Facility.
“Our team showed tremendous grit on the final day,” Ball State head coach Brian Etelman said. “We were able to overcome a shaky first two days and step up big time today. I was especially proud of Regan Lewis. She came in a little banged up, but was able to step up and earn bronze in the high jump after not being seeded to score coming in.”
Leading the way for the Cardinals was freshman high jumper Regan Lewis, who battled the poor weather conditions to turn in a bronze medal finish by clearing the bar at 1.66m on her first attempt. Only six of the 19 competitors were able to clear the height, with Lewis and event champion Claudia Garcia Jou (Akron) being the only ones to do so on their first jump.
With her third-place finish in the high jump, Lewis is the first medalist for the Cardinals at the MAC Outdoor Championships since Thekla Lorenz won the heptathlon in 2012. In addition, it's the best finish for Ball State in the high jump since Rebecca Lomax won the event as a freshman in 2011.
Ball State's success in the field events did not stop with the high jump, as senior Michaela Hull concluded her career with a seventh-place effort in the discus. Her best mark came in her second of six throws, when she launched the discus a career-best distance of 45.87m, which is the fourth-best individual effort in program history. Hull is the first Ball State student-athlete to score in the discus since the 2012 MAC Outdoor Championships.
The Cardinals entered the day assured of scoring at least one point, with junior Kassidy Swenson advancing to the final of the 400m hurdles. Swenson did not disappoint, ending her run at the league meet by crossing the finish line in fifth place with a time of 1:02.06. Swenson's fifth-place showing in the 400m hurdles is the best for a Ball State runner since Jenna Schmitmeyer took second in 2010.
Ball State closed its final meet of the season with an eight-place showing in the 4x400m relay, as freshman Amber McGee, junior Olivia Ashba, senior Becca Kropf and sophomore Gabby Sims combined for a time of 3:51.71. It's the first time the Cardinals have scored in the 4x400m relay at the league outdoor meet since the 2011 event.
With 13 points on the final day of the meet, the Cardinals closed the three-day event in 12th place with 14 total points. Ball State's point total and five top eight performances were the most for the program since the 2012 outdoor championships. In addition, this season's 14 total points is equal to the combined total of the last three MAC Outdoor Championships combined.
“We accomplished things this year which have not been done in the past five-plus years,” Etelman added. “It proves we have made big strides in year one and are headed in the right direction. With our returners and incoming freshmen, year two guarantees to be exciting.”
Eastern Michigan won the 2016 MAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships with 152 points, while Akron placed second (130) and Northern Illinois took third (110.5).
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State track & field, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSports, @BallStateTFXC and @CoachE_BSU.
Saturday's Ball State Results at MAC Outdoor Championships
High Jump
3rd - Regan Lewis - 1.66m
Discus
7th - Michaela Hull - 45.87m (Career-Best)
400m Hurdles
5th - Kassidy Swenson - 1:02.06
4x400m Relay
8th – Amber McGee, Olivia Ashba, Becca Kropf and Gabby Sims – 3:51.17
Friday's Ball State Results at MAC Outdoor Championships
10000m Run
DNF - Jessica Bryzek
100m Hurdles
14th - Jazmin Smith - 14.66
400m Dash
18th - Gabby Sims - 58.23
100m Dash
17th - Anna-Kay West - 12.47
20th - Peyton Stewart - 14.81
400m Hurdles
8th - Kassidy Swenson - 1:01.85 (Advanced to Final; Saturday at 3:20 p.m.)
10th - Becca Kropf - 1:02.69
11th - Olivia Ashba - 1:03.53
3000m Steeplechase
15th - Ericka Rinehart - 11:35.74
Thursday's Ball State Results at MAC Outdoor Championships
Hammer Throw
8th - Marie Lumpkin - 54.05m
Javelin
11th - Michaela Hull - 37.60m
- BallStateSports.com -
Players Mentioned
