Ball State University Athletics
Saturday, January 16
Bowling Green, OH
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Bowling Green Opener
Freshmen Have Immediate Impact For BSU In Opener
January 16, 2021 | Track & Field
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Ball State track & field team got its indoor season underway Saturday at Bowling Green. There's no secret that uncertainty hangs over all sports and athletes in recent times, but Ball State found out a little about its team in its first meet since Feb. 29, 2020.
"We showed a lot of focus and intensity and everyone supported each other really well," head coach Brian Etelman said.Â
Etelman also was pleased with the impact the team's freshmen had Saturday, including sprinters Kayla Jones and Alexis Thigpen and Jenelle Rogers in jumps. Jones, from Westerville, Ohio, was a leader right away, winning the 800m (2:17.83) and running in the 4x400 relay. Thigpen was the lead leg of that same relay and Rogers tied for first in the high jump with a 1.65m mark. Rogers also placed fourth in the triple jump, just 3.25 inches out of second place in the event.Â
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As full rosters become available and the team rounds into form, getting a lift from newcomers is important. Still, returning athletes in Saturday's meet also turned in some standout performances. Ivy McKee was strong in the 60m (2nd, 7.65) and 200m (2nd, 25.16). Kennedy Batts also turned in a second-place finish, running 9.04 in the 60m hurdles. Batts also ran in the 4x400 relay. Emmalyne Tarsa, another senior, was BSU's top distance runner (10:24.56 in 3000m).
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"We showed a lot of focus and intensity and everyone supported each other really well," head coach Brian Etelman said.Â
Etelman also was pleased with the impact the team's freshmen had Saturday, including sprinters Kayla Jones and Alexis Thigpen and Jenelle Rogers in jumps. Jones, from Westerville, Ohio, was a leader right away, winning the 800m (2:17.83) and running in the 4x400 relay. Thigpen was the lead leg of that same relay and Rogers tied for first in the high jump with a 1.65m mark. Rogers also placed fourth in the triple jump, just 3.25 inches out of second place in the event.Â
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS
As full rosters become available and the team rounds into form, getting a lift from newcomers is important. Still, returning athletes in Saturday's meet also turned in some standout performances. Ivy McKee was strong in the 60m (2nd, 7.65) and 200m (2nd, 25.16). Kennedy Batts also turned in a second-place finish, running 9.04 in the 60m hurdles. Batts also ran in the 4x400 relay. Emmalyne Tarsa, another senior, was BSU's top distance runner (10:24.56 in 3000m).
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Top Ball State Performances - Saturday at Bowling Green
Â| Cardinal | Event | Place (Time) |
| Ivy McKee | 60m | 2nd of 7 (7.65) |
| Ivy McKee    | 200m | 2nd of 16 (25.16) |
| Kayla Jones | 800m | 1st of 7 (2:17.83) |
| Emmalyne Tarsa | 3000m | 5th of 12 (10:24.56) |
| Kennedy Batts | 60m Hurdles | 2nd of 7 (9.04) |
| Thigpen, Batts, Jones, Norman | 4x400 Relay | 4th of 7 (4:04.75) |
| Jenelle Rogers | High Jump | T-1st (1.65m) |
| Michelle Lehmann | Long Jump | 6th of 8 (5.10m) |
| Jenelle Rogers | Triple Jump | 4th of 6 (11.12m) |
| Abby Denham | Shot Put | 8th of 8 (10.65m) |
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Players Mentioned
Sprints/Hurdles
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Throws
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Sprints
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Sprints/Jumps
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Sprints/Jumps
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Sprints/Hurdles
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Distance
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