Track & Field Sets Early Tone with Strong Effort at BG Opener

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - - The Ball State track & field program had one goal in mind for Saturday's Bowling Green Opener; setting a strong tone for the 2018-19 indoor season.

The Cardinals did just that Saturday evening at BGSU's Perry Field House, winning seven events and posting a pair of Mid-American Conference Indoor Championship automatic qualifying marks.

"I was really impressed with how much pride and passion we competed with today," Ball State head coach Brian Etelman said. "We won seven total events, and you always have to feel good about getting wins head-to-head against other MAC schools."

In addition to the Cardinals and host Falcons, Miami and Cleveland State were entered in Saturday's non-scored meet. Despite the lack of team scores, Ball State set a dominating individual tone to start the year, including earning 19 career-best performances.

"There were some great performances today," Etelman said. "I know we will continue to get better and better as we prepare to move into January and February."

One of the best individual performances came from sophomore sprinter Wambui Watene who turned in a time of 40.73 in the 300m. It's Ball State's fastest time in the event since Yvonne Ferguson clocked the program-record time 39.61 at the Ball State Open on Jan. 15, 2005.

"Wambui was really impressive today, turning in a 300m time which has not been seen here in nearly 15 years," Etelman said. "There have been some great sprinters at Ball State that have had a run at that distance, so she should be proud of her effort."

In addition to Wambui's run, the Cardinals dominated the sprints with wins in the five of the six shortest races. The biggest winner of the meet was senior Jazmin Smith who took home top honors in both the 60m hurdles (8.66) and 200m dash (25.15).

Peyton Stewart started her senior season strong, winning the 60m dash with a MAC Championship automatic qualifying time of 7.52. She was not the only MAC auto qualifier for the Cardinals either, as three-time defending MAC high jump senior Regan Lewis won the event at 1.75m (5-8.75).

"Overall, it was great to see our seniors open the year with big marks and wins," Etelman said.

In her collegiate debut, freshman Meghan Hedrick added her first career victory, winning the 800m in 2:30.11.

Rounding out Ball State's individual winners were junior Amber Jones who crossed the 400m line in 57.27 and junior Maritza Rodriguez who captured the 3000m title at 10:17.58.

"We are all looking forward to what's to come," Etelman concluded. "We know there is much more left in our tanks."

The Ball State track & field team will now enjoy winter break before returning to action Jan. 11-12 at the Kentucky Invitational.

For the most up-to-date news on Ball State track & field, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateTFXC.

Ball State Individual Results at Bowling Green Opener
60m Dash  / MAC Qualifying Standard: 7.60 / Program Record: 7.33 (c) by LaTasha Jenkins in 1998
1st - Peyton Stewart - 7.52 – MAC Auto Mark
2nd - Michelle Lehmann - 7.72*

60m Hurdles  / MAC Qualifying Standard: 8.64  / Program Record: 8.19 by Amber Williams in 2007
1st - Jazmin Smith - 8.66
2nd - Jasmine Harris - 8.72
3rd - Anasja Troutman - 8.99
6th - Karlie Zumbro - 9.23*

200m Dash  / MAC Qualifying Standard: 24.48  / Program Record: 23.25 by LaTasha Jenkins in 1999
1st - Jazmin Smith - 25.15
2nd - Jasmine Harris - 25.60

400m Dash  / MAC Qualifying Standard: 55.51  / Program Record: 55.11 by Linise Gordon in 2000
1st - Amber Jones - 57.27
4th - Dejah Johnson - 57.90
5th - MaQuila Norman - 58.49

800m Run  / MAC Qualifying Standard: 2:11.14  / Program Record: 2:07.30 by Natasha Lothery in 2002
1st - Meghan Hedrick - 2:30.11*
4th - Karlie Zumbro - 2:33.35*
7th - Kaylor Hoover - 2:40.25

Mile Run  / MAC Qualifying Standard: 4:51.38  / Program Record: 4:50.10 by MaryKate Mellen in 2013
2nd - Peyton Kneadler - 5:18.18
3rd - Karleigh Conner - 5:18.38*
4th - Maddie Aul - 5:27.06*
5th - Lauren Alsko - 5:29.47*
6th - Emmalyne Tarsa - 5:32.46
7th - Emma Cunningham - 5:43.69*

3000m Run  / MAC Qualifying Standard: 9:41.68  / Program Record: 9:31.43 by Jill Scully in 2006
1st - Maritza Rodriguez - 10:17.58
3rd - Meliza Rodriguez - 10:40.25*
4th - Cayla Eckenroth - 10:47.17
5th - Lauren Whitehouse - 10:50.66

High Jump  / MAC Qualifying Standard: 1.69m / 5-6.5  / Program Record: 1.81m / 5-11.25 by Regan Lewis
1st - Regan Lewis - 1.75m / 5-8.75 – MAC Auto Mark
2nd - Hailley Peters - 1.59m / 5-2.5

Long Jump  / MAC Qualifying Standard: 5.82m / 19-1.25  / Program Record: 6.43m / 21-1.5 by Patricia Soman in 2003
2nd - Michelle Lehmann - 5.41m / 17-9*
4th - Karlie Zumbro - 5.08m / 16-8*

Shot Put  / MAC Qualifying Standard: 14.93m / 48-11.75  / Program Record: 14.77m / 48-5.75 by Gena Rusch in 1990
4th - Kelsey Walters - 13.22m / 43-4.5
8th - Princess Carter - 11.64m / 38-2.25*
9th - Jada Caldwell - 11.29m / 37-0.5
11th - Stella East - 9.63m / 31-7.25*

Weight Throw  / MAC Qualifying Standard: 18.25m / 59-10.5  / Program Record: 18.55m / 60-10 by Marie Lumpkin in 2015
5th - Princess Carter - 16.26m / 53-4.25*
6th - Kelsey Walters - 15.76m / 51-8.5*
10th - Megan Graves - 13.68m / 44-10.75*
12th - Jada Caldwell - 12.43m / 40-9.5
13th - Stella East - 12.41m / 40-8.75*

4x400m Relay  / Program Record: 3:39.94 (c) by Jada Phelps, Angka Morris, Patricia Soman and Linise Gordon in 2001
3rd - Amber Jones, Dejah Johnson, Jazmin Smith, MaQuila Norman - 4:17.24

300m Dash
2nd - Wambui Watene - 40.73*
4th - Anasja Troutman - 42.66*

* - denotes career-best performance

Track & Field Sets Early Tone with Strong Effort at BG Opener

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Players Mentioned

Lauren Alsko

Maddie Aul

Jada Caldwell

Princess Carter

Karleigh Conner

Emma Cunningham

Stella East

Cayla Eckenroth

Megan Graves

Jasmine Harris

Meghan Hedrick

Dejah Johnson

Amber Jones

Peyton Kneadler

Michelle Lehmann

Regan Lewis

MaQuila Norman

Hailley Peters

Maritza Rodriguez

Jazmin Smith

Peyton Stewart

Emmalyne Tarsa

Anasja Troutman

Kelsey Walters

Wambui Watene

Lauren Whitehouse

Karlie Zumbro