Indoor Track & Field Places 12 on Academic All-MAC Team

CLEVELAND, Ohio - - After a strong showing both in the classroom and in competition, 12 members of the Ball State track & field program were named to the 2020 Women's Indoor Track & Field Academic All-Mid-American Conference Team.

"Congratulations to all of our hard working student-athletes and their great work in the classroom," head coach Brian Etelman said. "One of the pillars of our program's culture is academic success and our All-MAC selections certainly uphold that value. A special point of recognition to Madison Kiser, who nailed a 4.0 during the best competitive season of her collegiate career."

To qualify for Academic All-MAC honors, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for their particular sport. First year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residency are not eligible.

Five Cardinals picked up the award for the third time in the indoor careers, led by seniors Peyton Kneadler and Maritza Rodriguez who have each claimed eight total honors over their indoor, outdoor and cross country careers.

Seniors Megan Graves and Kelsey Walters are also three-time honorees in indoor track & field, as well as five-time career honorees when you add two outdoor awards each. Senior Amber Jones is Ball State's final three-time indoor Academic All-MAC selection and is a four-time career honoree, including one outdoor selection.

Junior Ivy McKee and redshirt sophomore Michelle Lehmann both pick up the honor for the second time in their indoor careers and are both three-time career honorees including last year's indoor campaign.

Five Cardinals were also recognized for the first time in their indoor careers; junior Jada Caldwell, sophomore Karlie Zumbro, redshirt sophomore Cayla Eckenroth, redshirt sophomore Madison Kiser and redshirt freshman Kennedy Batts.

Eckenroth has a total of four career awards, including two in cross country and one in outdoor track & field. Caldwell and Kiser are both two-time honorees, with each earning the honor last outdoor season.

Out of the 173 student-athletes to earn Women's Indoor Track & Field Academic All-MAC honors this season, nine own perfect 4.0 grade point averages, including Ball State's Kiser.

The 2020 indoor season was a huge success for the Ball State track & field program, as the Cardinals placed third at the MAC Indoor Championships. The program's 77 total points at the meet were the most since the 2008 season, while the team's third-place finish was the best since 2009.

Ball State's student-athletes also claimed six total medals at the MAC Indoor Championships, including winning the 200m dash. Unfortunately, the 2020 outdoor season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Ball State Indoor Track & Field Academic All-MAC Honorees
Kennedy Batts, Ball State, R-Freshman, 3.288, Biology (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Jada Caldwell, Ball State, Junior, 3.235, Exercise Science (Westfield, Ind.)
Cayla Eckenroth, Ball State, R-Sophomore, 3.321, Teaching Major in English/Language Arts (Novi, Mich.)
Megan Graves, Ball State, Senior, 3.618, Exercise Science (Fishers, Ind.)
Amber Jones, Ball State, Senior, 3.736, Nursing (Matteson, Ill.)
Madison Kiser, Ball State, R-Sophomore, 4.000, Marketing (Royal Center, Ind.)
Peyton Kneadler, Ball State, Senior, 3.841, Legal Studies (Monticello, Ind.)
Michelle Lehmann, Ball State, R-Sophomore, 3.432, Psychological Science (Columbus, Ohio)
Ivy McKee, Ball State, Junior, 3.610, Exercise Science (Columbus, Ohio)
Maritza Rodriguez, Ball State, Senior, 3.708, Teaching Major in Elementary Education (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Kelsey Walters, Ball State, Senior, 3.734, Exercise Science (Troy, Ohio)
Karlie Zumbro, Ball State, Sophomore, 3.706, Pre-Exercise Science (Zanesville, Ohio)

Indoor Track & Field Places 12 on Academic All-MAC Team

Players Mentioned

Kennedy Batts

Jada Caldwell

Cayla Eckenroth

Megan Graves

Amber Jones

Madison Kiser

Peyton Kneadler

Michelle Lehmann

Ivy McKee

Maritza Rodriguez

Kelsey Walters

Karlie Zumbro

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