Friday, April 13
Muncie, Ind.
9:00 AM
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Ball State Challenge
Photo by: Domenic Centofanti, Ball State U
Walters Breaks Shot Put Record to lead Track & Field at Ball State Challenge
April 14, 2018 | Track & Field
MUNCIE, Ind.-- It was an excellent Friday for the Ball State track & field program at University Track, as the Cardinals claimed one program record, six Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championship automatic qualifying marks, three event victories and 21 career-best performances at the Ball State Challenge.
"Today was exactly what we wanted," head coach Brian Etelman said. "We talked to the team on Wednesday about using this meet to get some momentum going for the rest of April. We are four weeks out from the conference meet, which is good and bad. This weekend was crucial to get some things going and I thought this was one of the better overall meets we have had in a really long time."
On a day which saw 40 teams and 823 student-athletes compete inside the Briner Sports Complex, it was the performance of sophomore thrower Kelsey Walters that stole the show for Ball State as she broke the Ball State school record in the shot put with a distance of 14.77m.
Walter's performance was also a MAC auto mark and eclipsed the previous program record of 14.68m notched by Gena Rusch in 1991.
"Kelsey is really talented and finally starting to put it together," Etelman said. "She is beginning to understand the different pieces of how this works and she is developing into a better competitor. Today was huge for her confidence, but the reality is the MAC is really deep and talented in the shot put. She is going to have to continue to turn in performances like today in order to help the team at MACs."
Aside from the school record, the Cardinals also got a strong performance from sophomore Bryeana Byrdsong who took home two event titles; the 100m dash (11.69) and the 200m dash (23.79). Both times were career bests and MAC qualifying marks.
Sophomore sprinter Amber Jones also clocked a personal best on her way to first in the 400m dash, crossing the line in 55.71. The effort was 2.34 seconds faster than her previous collegiate best in the event. Not far behind was freshman MaQuila Norman who earned a third-place and career-best time of 57.33.
Rounding out Ball State's event winners was redshirt freshman Jasmine Harris who hurdled into first place in the 100m hurdles with a MAC auto time of 14.10.
In the longest event of the day, freshman Cayla Eckenroth stood second overall in the 5000m run with a personal-best time of 18:23.11.
The Cardinals also received a second-place effort of 46.73 from Anna-Kay West, Amber Jones, Ivy McKee and Paris Carver in the 400m relay.
Finally, in the high jump, junior Regan Lewis improved her standing on the NCAA East Qualifying List, topping her previous MAC auto mark by successfully clearing 1.76m while battling high winds.
"While the conditions were not great with the wind blowing like it was, I thought our team was tough today," Etelman stated. "We looked like a team that could do something at conference."
The Cardinals will continue building towards the MAC Championships (May 10-12) next weekend, when the squad splits again to compete at the Jesse Owens Classic (April 20-21) hosted by Ohio State and the War Eagle Invitational (April 20-21) hosted by Auburn.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State track & field, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateTFXC.
Ball State Individual Results at the Ball State Challenge
100m Dash
MAC Qualifying Standard: 11.86 - School Record: 11.08 (c) by LaTasha Jenkins in 1999
1st - Bryeana Byrdsong - 11.69* - MAC Auto Mark
2nd - Peyton Stewart - 11.75 - MAC Auto Mark
17th - Paris Carver - 12.24*
200m Dash
MAC Qualifying Standard: 24.29 - School Record: 22.29 by LaTasha Jenkins in 1999
1st - Bryeana Byrdsong - 23.79* - MAC Auto Mark
3rd - Amber Jones - 24.34*
4th - Jazmin Smith - 24.35*
10th - Peyton Stewart - 24.63*
11th - MaQuila Norman - 24.73*
12th - Jasmine Harris - 24.75*
18th - Dejah Johnson - 25.17*
19th - Anna-Kay West - 25.24*
25th - Ivy McKee - 25.57
27th - Paris Carver - 25.62
400m Dash
MAC Qualifying Standard: 55.36 - School Record: 53.68 by Yvonne Ferguson in 2006
1st - Amber Jones - 55.71*
3rd - MaQuila Norman - 57.33*
6th - Dejah Johnson - 57.58
10th - Gabby Sims - 58.86
800m Run
MAC Qualifying Standard: 2:11.25 - School Record: 2:06.40 by Angie Stewart in 1997
3rd - Peyton Kneadler - 2:17.96
10th - Kaylor Hoover - 2:22.15
11th - Maritza Rodriguez - 2:22.27*
1500m Run
MAC Qualifying Standard: 4:30.18 - School Record: 4:25.67 by Katie Nowak in 2002
5th - Maritza Rodriguez - 4:45.76*
37th - Emma Maddelein - 5:29.34
5000m Run
MAC Qualifying Standard: 16:56.24 - School Record: 16:15.29 by Katie Nowak in 2003
2nd - Cayla Eckenroth - 18:23.11*
6th - Meliza Rodriguez - 18:37.57
10th - Lauren Whitehouse - 19:04.25
18th - Jessica Bryzek - 19:34.02
29th - Kitty Taylor - 20:43.76
100m Hurdles
MAC Qualifying Standard: 14.10 - School Record: 13.18 by Amber Williams in 2007
1st - Jasmine Harris - 14.10* - MAC Auto Mark
9th - Anna-Kay West - 14.71
DNF - Jazmin Smith
400m Hurdles
MAC Qualifying Standard: 1:01.35 - School Record: 57.82 by Linise Gordon in 2000
6th - Wambui Watene - 1:05.52*
3000m Steeplechase
MAC Qualifying Standard: 10:56.96 - School Record: 10:34.05 by Katie Nowak in 2002
4th - Emmalyne Tarsa - 11:43.83*
400m Relay
School Record: 45.42 by Jada Pehlps, Korinth Patterson, Tambra Stewart and Jennifer Dennie in 2001
2nd - Anna-Kay West, Amber Jones, Ivy McKee, Paris Carver - 46.73
DNF - Jazmin Smith, Bryeana Byrdsong, Jasmine Harris, Peyton Stewart
1600m Relay
School Record: 3:38.05 by Jada Phelps, Angka Morris, Patricia Soman and Linise Gordon in 2001
4th - Dejah Johnson, Gabby Sims, Peyton Kneadler, MaQuila Norman - 3:56.69
8th - Ivy McKee, Wambui Watene, Kaylor Hoover, Maritza Rodriguez - 4:03.93
High Jump
MAC Qualifying Standard: 1.69m / 5'-6.5" - School Record: 1.84m / 6-0.5 by Bonita Harrington in 1984
2nd - Regan Lewis - 1.76m - MAC Auto Mark
3rd - Hailley Peters - 1.66m
Shot Put
MAC Qualifying Standard: 14.74m / 48'-4.5" - School Record: 14.77m / 48-5.5 by Kelsey Walters in 2018
2nd - Kelsey Walters - 14.77m* - MAC Auto Mark / Program Record
5th - Jada Caldwell - 13.55m*
Discus
MAC Qualifying Standard: 47.40m / 155'-6" - School Record: 47.82m / 156-11 by Christy Richart in 1995
4th - Princess Carter - 43.64m*
7th - Adrienne Mayfield - 41.12m
Hammer Throw
MAC Qualifying Standard: 54.27m / 178'-0" - School Record: 56.33m / 184-10 by Sarah Martin in 2001
11th - Megan Graves - 43.90m
16th - Princess Carter - 38.25m
Javelin
MAC Qaulifying Standard: 40.40m / 132'-6" - School Record: 42.78 / 140-4.5 by Kim Woodhouse in 1982
3rd - Abby Denham - 35.00m
"Today was exactly what we wanted," head coach Brian Etelman said. "We talked to the team on Wednesday about using this meet to get some momentum going for the rest of April. We are four weeks out from the conference meet, which is good and bad. This weekend was crucial to get some things going and I thought this was one of the better overall meets we have had in a really long time."
On a day which saw 40 teams and 823 student-athletes compete inside the Briner Sports Complex, it was the performance of sophomore thrower Kelsey Walters that stole the show for Ball State as she broke the Ball State school record in the shot put with a distance of 14.77m.
Walter's performance was also a MAC auto mark and eclipsed the previous program record of 14.68m notched by Gena Rusch in 1991.
"Kelsey is really talented and finally starting to put it together," Etelman said. "She is beginning to understand the different pieces of how this works and she is developing into a better competitor. Today was huge for her confidence, but the reality is the MAC is really deep and talented in the shot put. She is going to have to continue to turn in performances like today in order to help the team at MACs."
Aside from the school record, the Cardinals also got a strong performance from sophomore Bryeana Byrdsong who took home two event titles; the 100m dash (11.69) and the 200m dash (23.79). Both times were career bests and MAC qualifying marks.
Sophomore sprinter Amber Jones also clocked a personal best on her way to first in the 400m dash, crossing the line in 55.71. The effort was 2.34 seconds faster than her previous collegiate best in the event. Not far behind was freshman MaQuila Norman who earned a third-place and career-best time of 57.33.
Rounding out Ball State's event winners was redshirt freshman Jasmine Harris who hurdled into first place in the 100m hurdles with a MAC auto time of 14.10.
In the longest event of the day, freshman Cayla Eckenroth stood second overall in the 5000m run with a personal-best time of 18:23.11.
The Cardinals also received a second-place effort of 46.73 from Anna-Kay West, Amber Jones, Ivy McKee and Paris Carver in the 400m relay.
Finally, in the high jump, junior Regan Lewis improved her standing on the NCAA East Qualifying List, topping her previous MAC auto mark by successfully clearing 1.76m while battling high winds.
"While the conditions were not great with the wind blowing like it was, I thought our team was tough today," Etelman stated. "We looked like a team that could do something at conference."
The Cardinals will continue building towards the MAC Championships (May 10-12) next weekend, when the squad splits again to compete at the Jesse Owens Classic (April 20-21) hosted by Ohio State and the War Eagle Invitational (April 20-21) hosted by Auburn.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State track & field, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateTFXC.
Ball State Individual Results at the Ball State Challenge
100m Dash
MAC Qualifying Standard: 11.86 - School Record: 11.08 (c) by LaTasha Jenkins in 1999
1st - Bryeana Byrdsong - 11.69* - MAC Auto Mark
2nd - Peyton Stewart - 11.75 - MAC Auto Mark
17th - Paris Carver - 12.24*
200m Dash
MAC Qualifying Standard: 24.29 - School Record: 22.29 by LaTasha Jenkins in 1999
1st - Bryeana Byrdsong - 23.79* - MAC Auto Mark
3rd - Amber Jones - 24.34*
4th - Jazmin Smith - 24.35*
10th - Peyton Stewart - 24.63*
11th - MaQuila Norman - 24.73*
12th - Jasmine Harris - 24.75*
18th - Dejah Johnson - 25.17*
19th - Anna-Kay West - 25.24*
25th - Ivy McKee - 25.57
27th - Paris Carver - 25.62
400m Dash
MAC Qualifying Standard: 55.36 - School Record: 53.68 by Yvonne Ferguson in 2006
1st - Amber Jones - 55.71*
3rd - MaQuila Norman - 57.33*
6th - Dejah Johnson - 57.58
10th - Gabby Sims - 58.86
800m Run
MAC Qualifying Standard: 2:11.25 - School Record: 2:06.40 by Angie Stewart in 1997
3rd - Peyton Kneadler - 2:17.96
10th - Kaylor Hoover - 2:22.15
11th - Maritza Rodriguez - 2:22.27*
1500m Run
MAC Qualifying Standard: 4:30.18 - School Record: 4:25.67 by Katie Nowak in 2002
5th - Maritza Rodriguez - 4:45.76*
37th - Emma Maddelein - 5:29.34
5000m Run
MAC Qualifying Standard: 16:56.24 - School Record: 16:15.29 by Katie Nowak in 2003
2nd - Cayla Eckenroth - 18:23.11*
6th - Meliza Rodriguez - 18:37.57
10th - Lauren Whitehouse - 19:04.25
18th - Jessica Bryzek - 19:34.02
29th - Kitty Taylor - 20:43.76
100m Hurdles
MAC Qualifying Standard: 14.10 - School Record: 13.18 by Amber Williams in 2007
1st - Jasmine Harris - 14.10* - MAC Auto Mark
9th - Anna-Kay West - 14.71
DNF - Jazmin Smith
400m Hurdles
MAC Qualifying Standard: 1:01.35 - School Record: 57.82 by Linise Gordon in 2000
6th - Wambui Watene - 1:05.52*
3000m Steeplechase
MAC Qualifying Standard: 10:56.96 - School Record: 10:34.05 by Katie Nowak in 2002
4th - Emmalyne Tarsa - 11:43.83*
400m Relay
School Record: 45.42 by Jada Pehlps, Korinth Patterson, Tambra Stewart and Jennifer Dennie in 2001
2nd - Anna-Kay West, Amber Jones, Ivy McKee, Paris Carver - 46.73
DNF - Jazmin Smith, Bryeana Byrdsong, Jasmine Harris, Peyton Stewart
1600m Relay
School Record: 3:38.05 by Jada Phelps, Angka Morris, Patricia Soman and Linise Gordon in 2001
4th - Dejah Johnson, Gabby Sims, Peyton Kneadler, MaQuila Norman - 3:56.69
8th - Ivy McKee, Wambui Watene, Kaylor Hoover, Maritza Rodriguez - 4:03.93
High Jump
MAC Qualifying Standard: 1.69m / 5'-6.5" - School Record: 1.84m / 6-0.5 by Bonita Harrington in 1984
2nd - Regan Lewis - 1.76m - MAC Auto Mark
3rd - Hailley Peters - 1.66m
Shot Put
MAC Qualifying Standard: 14.74m / 48'-4.5" - School Record: 14.77m / 48-5.5 by Kelsey Walters in 2018
2nd - Kelsey Walters - 14.77m* - MAC Auto Mark / Program Record
5th - Jada Caldwell - 13.55m*
Discus
MAC Qualifying Standard: 47.40m / 155'-6" - School Record: 47.82m / 156-11 by Christy Richart in 1995
4th - Princess Carter - 43.64m*
7th - Adrienne Mayfield - 41.12m
Hammer Throw
MAC Qualifying Standard: 54.27m / 178'-0" - School Record: 56.33m / 184-10 by Sarah Martin in 2001
11th - Megan Graves - 43.90m
16th - Princess Carter - 38.25m
Javelin
MAC Qaulifying Standard: 40.40m / 132'-6" - School Record: 42.78 / 140-4.5 by Kim Woodhouse in 1982
3rd - Abby Denham - 35.00m
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