Ball State University Athletics
Track & Field Earns Three Career Bests To Open Akron Invite
February 03, 2017 | Track & Field
AKRON, Ohio - - The Ball State indoor track & field team opened the Akron Invitational with three career-best times in the 5000m run Friday evening at Akron's Stile Field House.
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Junior Jessica Bryzek (Brownsburg, Ind./Indiana Academy) led the Cardinals to the line and placed seventh overall in the 5000m race with a career-best time of 18:09.22. Prior to the race, Bryzek's previous career-best indoor 5000m run time was 18:51.14 set last season. The effort was also better than both her career-best 5K times in cross country (18:24.80) and outdoor track & field (18:22.54).
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In their first collegiate 5000m race, freshman Stephanie McElhaney (Huntington, Ind./Huntington North) and Maritza Rodriguez (Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis) also turned in personal-best times of 18:22.27 (13th) and 18:40.88 (15th), respectively.
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Senior Makelle Skelton (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop) was originally slated to open Ball State's action at the Akron Invitational in the long jump, but was scratched.
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Ball State opens the second day of the Akron Invitational Saturday morning with action in the women's weight throw at 10:30 a.m. In all, the Cardinals will compete in 12 events Saturday, culminating with the 4x400m relay at approximately 5:40 p.m.
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For the most up-to-date news on Ball State cross country and track & field, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateTFXC and @CoachE_BSU.
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BALL STATE'S FRIDAY RESULTS AT AKRON INVITATIONAL
5000m Run:
  MAC Qualifying Standard: 17:05.03 • School Record: 16:21.66 by Ali Bishel in 2008
7th - Jessica Bryzek - 18:09.22*
13th - Stephanie McElhaney - 18:22.27*
15th - Maritza Rodriguez - 18:40.88*
* Denotes career-best performance
- BallStateSports.com -
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Junior Jessica Bryzek (Brownsburg, Ind./Indiana Academy) led the Cardinals to the line and placed seventh overall in the 5000m race with a career-best time of 18:09.22. Prior to the race, Bryzek's previous career-best indoor 5000m run time was 18:51.14 set last season. The effort was also better than both her career-best 5K times in cross country (18:24.80) and outdoor track & field (18:22.54).
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In their first collegiate 5000m race, freshman Stephanie McElhaney (Huntington, Ind./Huntington North) and Maritza Rodriguez (Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis) also turned in personal-best times of 18:22.27 (13th) and 18:40.88 (15th), respectively.
Â
Senior Makelle Skelton (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop) was originally slated to open Ball State's action at the Akron Invitational in the long jump, but was scratched.
Â
Ball State opens the second day of the Akron Invitational Saturday morning with action in the women's weight throw at 10:30 a.m. In all, the Cardinals will compete in 12 events Saturday, culminating with the 4x400m relay at approximately 5:40 p.m.
Â
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State cross country and track & field, follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateTFXC and @CoachE_BSU.
Â
BALL STATE'S FRIDAY RESULTS AT AKRON INVITATIONAL
5000m Run:
  MAC Qualifying Standard: 17:05.03 • School Record: 16:21.66 by Ali Bishel in 2008
7th - Jessica Bryzek - 18:09.22*
13th - Stephanie McElhaney - 18:22.27*
15th - Maritza Rodriguez - 18:40.88*
* Denotes career-best performance
- BallStateSports.com -
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