Byrdsong & Smith Turn in MAC Auto Marks on Day 1 of Black & Gold Invite

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

Byrdsong & Smith Turn in MAC Auto Marks on Day 1 of Black & Gold Invite

March 22, 2019 | Track & Field

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - One thing we learned about the Ball State track and field team during the indoor season, the sprints group can run with anyone in the country.

Fast forward to the opening day of the Vanderbilt Black & Gold Invitational Friday evening, and we know that's still true.

Ball State's 200m runners turned in a pair of MAC Outdoor Championship automatic qualifying marks to open the two-day meet at the Vanderbilt Track & Field Complex.

Leading the way, junior Bryeana Byrdsong who placed fifth in the race with a time of 23.88, which is nearly half a second better than the MAC auto mark of 24.25.

Right behind, senior Jazmin Smith placed sixth with a career-fast time of 24.17. In addition, sophomore MaQuila Norman (24.60), sophomore Ivy McKee (24.85) and redshirt freshman Michelle Lehmann (25.23) all clocked personal-best times in the event.

The Cardinals also saw sophomore Cayla Eckenroth place fourth in the 5000m run with a personal-best time of 17:44.41 and freshman Karleigh Conner take 28th in the 1500m run in a career-fast 4:38.10.

In the field events, junior Kelsey Walters placed ninth in the shot put (13.18m), while junior Megan Graves took 17th in the hammer (42.49m).

The Ball State track & field team closes competition in the Black & Gold Invitational Saturday with action in 13 more events. First up, the discus at 11 a.m. (ET) / 10 a.m. (CT).

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

Ball State Individual Results on Day 1 of Vanderbilt Black & Gold Invitational

200m Dash
MAC Qualifying Standard: 24.25 / Program Record: 22.29 by LaTasha Jenkins in 1999
5th - Bryeana Byrdsong - 23.88 - MAC Auto
6th - Jazmin Smith - 24.17* - MAC Auto
12th - MaQuila Norman - 24.60*
20th - Ivy McKee - 24.85*
31st - Michelle Lehmann - 25.23*
42nd - Dejah Johnson - 25.84

1500m Run
MAC Qualifying Standard: 4:29.34 / Program Record: 4:25.67 by Katie Nowak in 2002
28th - Karleigh Conner - 4:38.10*

5000m Run
MAC Qualifying Standard: 16:46.02 / Program Record: 16:15.29 by Katie Nowak in 2003
4th - Cayla Eckenroth - 17:44.41*

Shot Put
MAC Qualifying Standard: 14.84m/48-08.25 / Program Record: 14.77m/48-05.5 by Kelsey Walters in 2018
9th - Kelsey Walters - 13.18m

Hammer
MAC Qualifying Standard: 54.80m/ 179-9.5 / Program Record: 56.33m/184-10 by Sarah Martin in 2001
17th - Megan Graves - 42.49m

* = career-best performance