Top Stories of 2019-20: Track & Field Shines at MAC Indoor Championships
July 08, 2020 | Track & Field
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Through much discussion, BallStateSports.com has identified the top storylines of the year. We are unveiling them one-by-one in chronological order. Today we look back at track & field's performance at the 2020 MAC Indoor ChampionshipsÂ
Track & Field Shines at MAC Indoor Championships
There is no doubt the Ball State track & field program has been making huge strides in returning to championship form under the leadership of head coach Brian Etelman.
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This past season was no different, as the Cardinals turned in another impressive performance at the 2020 Mid-American Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships.
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Over the course of the two-day meet at Akron's Stiles Field House, the Cardinals scored a total of 77 points and finished third among the league's 12 teams. It was Ball State's largest point total at the indoor championships since scoring 86 in 2008 and was the team's top finish since also placing third in 2009.
? Best Team Finish Since 2009
— BallStateTrack&XC (@BallStateTFXC) February 29, 2020
? Most Points Scored Since 2008
? #MACtion Champion @MaQuila_Norman in the 200m
? 6 Total Medals ????????????
? An excellent @MACSports Indoor Championship for #YourCardinals#ChirpChirp #WeFly pic.twitter.com/8SG3la1OZa
OPENING DAY HIGHLIGHTS - Complete Recap
Sophomore multi-event specialist Karlie Zumbro set the pace early, opening the competition with a second-place score of 5,377 points in the pentathlon. Not only was the score the fourth-best individual effort in program history, but Zumbro also recorded career-best marks in four of the five events; 60m hurdles (9.07), high jump (1.61m), shot put (9.31m) and long jump (5.27m).Â
?? SCORE ALERT ??
— BallStateTrack&XC (@BallStateTFXC) February 28, 2020
With the fourth-best individual score in program history ... @KarlieZumbro gets the Cardinals on the board with 8 points and a BIG second-place finish in the pentathlon!!!#ChirpChirp #WeFly pic.twitter.com/0TWPQqCC9u
In the final individual race of the first day, Maritza Rodriguez continued her impressive senior campaign by placing second in the 5000m with a career-fast time of 16:53.30. The effort is also the fifth-best individual performance in the event on BSU's all-time list.
?? SCORE ALERT ??
— BallStateTrack&XC (@BallStateTFXC) February 28, 2020
With the fifth-best individual time in program history ... @ritzaaaa__ takes second in the 5,000m at 16:53.30 to score 8 more points for #YourCardinals@caylaeckenroth with a PR of 17:34.63 to place 15th#ChirpChirp #WeFly pic.twitter.com/dM27vz29A0
FINAL DAY HIGHLIGHTS - Complete Recap
The team's biggest performance of the second day came in the 200m, with junior MaQuila Norman claiming the MAC individual title with a winning run of 23.87. Senior Bryeana Byrdsong was not far behind, capturing bronze for the second straight season in 24.22. In addition, senior Amber Jones followed in sixth place at 24.61.
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Combined, the three sprinters scored 19 of the Cardinals' 77 total points in the one race.
Â?? SCORE & MAC CHAMPION ALERT ??@MaQuila_Norman is your @MACSports 200m (23.87) CHAMPION!!!
— BallStateTrack&XC (@BallStateTFXC) February 29, 2020
Cardinals score 19 points in the event as...@trackprodigyyy also places 3rd (24.22)
and @_ajenai takes 6th (24.61)#ChirpChirp #WeFly pic.twitter.com/2m8c5RXnvS
Earlier in the day, Jones would etched her name atop the Ball State record books when she placed fourth in the 400m with a program-record time of 54.46, shattering the old mark of 55.11 set by Linise Gordon on Feb. 26, 2000.
?? SCORE & PROGRAM RECORD ALERT ??@_ajenai takes 4th in the 400m with a PROGRAM RECORD time of 54.46 to score five more points#ChirpChirp #WeFly pic.twitter.com/FFWW34jdV6
— BallStateTrack&XC (@BallStateTFXC) February 29, 2020
The Cardinals also scored big in the final two individual events, starting with Rodriguez who clocked in at 9:51.18 to place second in the 3000m. It was her second silver medal of the championships, as she also placed fifth in the 5,000m Friday.
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Senior Kelsey Walters followed with a school-record shot put throw of 15.33m to place second. It was the second straight weekend Walters broke the program record, as she landed a throw 15.15m at Ball State Tune-Up (Feb. 21).Â
?? SCORE & PROGRAM RECORD ALERT ??@K_walt18 breaks the PROGRAM RECORD in the shot put for the second straight week, placing 2nd at the @MACSports Indoor Championships at 15.33m
— BallStateTrack&XC (@BallStateTFXC) February 29, 2020
@Jada_Jay12 places 12th at 13.47m#ChirpChirp #WeFly pic.twitter.com/526MKBoMYo
Other Top Stories from 2019-20
June 29Â Â- Men's Golfers Make Opening Statement at Golfweek Event
June 30Â - Football Wins Pair Of Rivalry Trophies
July 1Â - Rife Leads Cardinals To Record-Breaking Debut Season
July 2 - Women's Volleyball Wins MAC Tournament Championship
July 6 - Gymnastics Sets School Records
July 7 - Men's Basketball Routs Georgia Tech
July 8 - Track & Field Shines at MAC Indoor Championships
Players Mentioned
