Track & Field To Host 40 Teams at Friday's Ball State Challenge

MUNCIE, Ind. - - It will be full go for the Ball State track & field program Friday, when the Cardinals host the 2018 Ball State Challenge at University Track. Admission to the meet is FREE for all fans wishing to attend.

Originally scheduled to run over two days, all events will now be held Friday due to Saturday's anticipated wet weather. Friday's action begins on the track with the men's (9 a.m.) and women's (9:25 a.m.) 5,000m run.

Field events will get underway at 10 a.m., with action in the shot put (women), discus (men), long jump (both) and pole vault (men). The remaining running events will start at approximately 12:30 p.m. with the final two heats of the 5,000m run.

In addition, the Cardinals will honor its five-member senior class (Jessica Bryzek, Adrienne Mayfield, Gabby Sims, Kitty Taylor and Anna-Kay West) at noon.

With cold, wet and windy conditions plaguing the early portion of the outdoor season, Friday's near perfect forecast, minus the strong winds, has helped make this edition of the Ball State Challenge one of the largest meets ever held at University Track.

There are currently 40 teams (men's & women's) schedule to compete in the event, with a total of 823 student-athletes set to battle it out in their respective events.

Teams scheduled to join the Cardinals Friday are: Bethel (M/F), Bowling Green (M/F), Butler (M/F), Cornerstone (M/F), Grace (M), Grand Valley State (M/F), Hillsdale (M/F), Indiana East (M/F), Indiana Tech (M/F), Indiana Tech Developmental (M/F), Indiana Wesleyan (M/F), Indianapolis (M/F), Fort Wayne (M/F), Marian (M/F), Northern Kentucky (M/F), Taylor (M/F), Toledo (M/F), Trine (M/F), Vincennes (M/F) and Xavier (M/F).

Fans unable to attend the meet can follow along with live results: http://crossroadstiming.com/results/2018/Ball_State_Challenge/index.html

Entering Friday's meet, junior Regan Lewis is the highest-ranked Cardinal on the Mid-American Conference Performance List, holding the top spot in the high jump with a league championship automatic qualifying mark of 1.75m.

Freshman Hailley Peters is not far behind, however, ranking fourth in the league in the high jump at 1.67m.

On the track, sophomore Bryeana Byrdsong owns the league's third-best time in the 200m run, with an outdoor championship auto mark of 24.25. She is also seventh on the MAC performance list in the 100m at 12.00.

Also ranking in the top 10 for the Cardinals on the MAC Performance List entering Friday's Ball State Challenge are; junior Peyton Stewart (100m / 10th / 12.02), redshirt-freshman Jasmine Harris (100m hurdles / 10th / 14.32), sophomore Maritza Rodriguez (10,000m / 10th / 36:14.70), sophomore Kelsey Walters (Shot Put / 10th / 13.70m) and freshman Abby Denham (Javelin / 10th / 39.12m).

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

Track & Field To Host 40 Teams at Friday's Ball State Challenge

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Players Mentioned

Jessica Bryzek

Bryeana Byrdsong

Abby Denham

Jasmine Harris

Regan Lewis

Adrienne Mayfield

Hailley Peters

Maritza Rodriguez

Gabby Sims

Peyton Stewart

Kitty Taylor

Kelsey Walters

Anna-Kay West