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MAC Indoor Championships
Regan Lewis Leads Three Medalists on Final Day of MAC Championships
February 24, 2018 | Track & Field
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - - After successfully clearing 1.76m, junior Regan Lewis became the first indoor high jump champion in program history to lead a trio of Ball State medalists on the final day of the Mid-American Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships Saturday at Bowling Green's Perry Field House.
"I'm incredibly proud of Regan for making history by becoming Ball State's first MAC indoor high jump champion," head coach Brian Etelman said. "Regan is hungry, motivated and looks to not only defend her MAC outdoor title, but become relevant on the national stage."
Lewis, who is also the defending MAC outdoor high jump champion, easily cleared her first four heights (1.62m, 1.67m, 1.72m and 1.76m) on her first attempt, with the last being the winning mark. She would go on to take three attempts at 1.82m, which would have broken her indoor program record of 1.81m, but was unable to clear the bar.
"Regan's performance was definitely the highlight of the day," Etelman added. "She was able to wrap up the gold medal without any misses through 1.76 meters. Once she had the gold wrapped up, she made the decision to take her attempts at 1.82 meters to try and break her school record."
On the track, junior Peyton Stewart earned her first career indoor medal by posting a career-best time of 7.48 to take sliver in the 60m dash. The defending MAC outdoor champion in the 100m dash, Stewart also scored in the 60m dash as a freshman, placing fourth in 7.56.
"Peyton showed she is a gamer and was able to deliver a PR in the 60m finals to take home a silver medal for her team," Etelman said. "I know she is bitter she did not win, but that will add fire to her title defense in the 100m outdoors."
Junior Jazmin Smith would earn the Cardinals' third medal, taking bronze in the 60m hurdles with a third-place time of 8.44. It's the second medal Smith has earned in the event, as she took home the gold last season with a first-place time of 8.43.
"I was really proud with how Jazmin was able to medal for the second year in a row," Etelman said. "She takes a tremendous amount of pride in competing for her team and was able to overcome a mishap in the middle of her race and still put up big points for the team. She will be a contender for the outdoor title in May."
Rounding out Ball State's individual scorers on the day was sophomore Bryeana Byrdsong who placed eighth in the 200m dash with a time of 25.05. It's the second straight season Byrdsong has earned a podium finish in the event, as she placed fourth her freshman campaign.
As a team, the Cardinals finished the two-day meet with 25 points to place 11th of the 12 teams.
Eastern Michigan won the meet with 154 points, followed by Akron (76), Bowling Green (68), Kent State (64), Toledo (55), Central Michigan (52), Northern Illinois (45), Western Michigan (42), Buffalo (36), Miami (33), the Cardinals and Ohio (13).
"While I was proud of a few individual performers, I was disappointed in how we finished as a team," Etelman concluded. "Our team finish is not reflective of the quality of our team, nor is it indicative of the progress we have made over the last few years. As a coach I have to be better, but I am looking forward to showing our true potential outdoors."
Now, the Cardinals turn their attention to the outdoor season which begins Saturday, March 17 at the Stan Lyons Invitational hosted by Butler.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State track & field, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateTFXC.
BALL STATE'S SATURDAY RESULTS AT MAC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Shot Put Finals
14th - Kelsey Walters - 13.21m
15th - Jada Caldwell - 12.86m
High Jump Finals
1st - Regan Lewis - 1.76m (10 points)
14th - Hailley Peters - 1.62m
60m Hurdles Finals
3rd - Jazmin Smith - 8.44 (6 points)
60m Dash Finals
2nd - Peyton Stewart - 7.48* (8 points)
200m Dash Finals
8th - Bryeana Byrdsong - 25.05 (1 point)
3000m Run Finals
12th - Maritza Rodriguez - 10:02.51*
4x400m Relay Finals
10th - Dejah Johnson, Bryeana Byrdsong, Jazmin Smith, Amber Jones - 3:58.71
*Denotes Career-Best Performance
"I'm incredibly proud of Regan for making history by becoming Ball State's first MAC indoor high jump champion," head coach Brian Etelman said. "Regan is hungry, motivated and looks to not only defend her MAC outdoor title, but become relevant on the national stage."
Lewis, who is also the defending MAC outdoor high jump champion, easily cleared her first four heights (1.62m, 1.67m, 1.72m and 1.76m) on her first attempt, with the last being the winning mark. She would go on to take three attempts at 1.82m, which would have broken her indoor program record of 1.81m, but was unable to clear the bar.
"Regan's performance was definitely the highlight of the day," Etelman added. "She was able to wrap up the gold medal without any misses through 1.76 meters. Once she had the gold wrapped up, she made the decision to take her attempts at 1.82 meters to try and break her school record."
On the track, junior Peyton Stewart earned her first career indoor medal by posting a career-best time of 7.48 to take sliver in the 60m dash. The defending MAC outdoor champion in the 100m dash, Stewart also scored in the 60m dash as a freshman, placing fourth in 7.56.
"Peyton showed she is a gamer and was able to deliver a PR in the 60m finals to take home a silver medal for her team," Etelman said. "I know she is bitter she did not win, but that will add fire to her title defense in the 100m outdoors."
Junior Jazmin Smith would earn the Cardinals' third medal, taking bronze in the 60m hurdles with a third-place time of 8.44. It's the second medal Smith has earned in the event, as she took home the gold last season with a first-place time of 8.43.
"I was really proud with how Jazmin was able to medal for the second year in a row," Etelman said. "She takes a tremendous amount of pride in competing for her team and was able to overcome a mishap in the middle of her race and still put up big points for the team. She will be a contender for the outdoor title in May."
Rounding out Ball State's individual scorers on the day was sophomore Bryeana Byrdsong who placed eighth in the 200m dash with a time of 25.05. It's the second straight season Byrdsong has earned a podium finish in the event, as she placed fourth her freshman campaign.
As a team, the Cardinals finished the two-day meet with 25 points to place 11th of the 12 teams.
Eastern Michigan won the meet with 154 points, followed by Akron (76), Bowling Green (68), Kent State (64), Toledo (55), Central Michigan (52), Northern Illinois (45), Western Michigan (42), Buffalo (36), Miami (33), the Cardinals and Ohio (13).
"While I was proud of a few individual performers, I was disappointed in how we finished as a team," Etelman concluded. "Our team finish is not reflective of the quality of our team, nor is it indicative of the progress we have made over the last few years. As a coach I have to be better, but I am looking forward to showing our true potential outdoors."
Now, the Cardinals turn their attention to the outdoor season which begins Saturday, March 17 at the Stan Lyons Invitational hosted by Butler.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State track & field, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateTFXC.
BALL STATE'S SATURDAY RESULTS AT MAC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Shot Put Finals
14th - Kelsey Walters - 13.21m
15th - Jada Caldwell - 12.86m
High Jump Finals
1st - Regan Lewis - 1.76m (10 points)
14th - Hailley Peters - 1.62m
60m Hurdles Finals
3rd - Jazmin Smith - 8.44 (6 points)
60m Dash Finals
2nd - Peyton Stewart - 7.48* (8 points)
200m Dash Finals
8th - Bryeana Byrdsong - 25.05 (1 point)
3000m Run Finals
12th - Maritza Rodriguez - 10:02.51*
4x400m Relay Finals
10th - Dejah Johnson, Bryeana Byrdsong, Jazmin Smith, Amber Jones - 3:58.71
*Denotes Career-Best Performance
Players Mentioned
Sprints
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Throws
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Sprints
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Sprints
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Jumps
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High Jump
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Distance
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Hurdles/Sprints
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Sprints
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Throws
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