Wednesday, May 25
Bloomington, IN
All Day
Ball State University
vs
NCAA East Prelims
Photo by: Mercedes Oliver/Ball State Athletics
Griffith qualifies for NCAA Outdoor Championships
May 28, 2022 | Track & Field
High jumper clears 1.84m to earn qualification
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Ball State track and field's Charity Griffith earned qualification to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the high jump after clearing 1.84m (6-0.5) Saturday at the NCAA East Prelims.
"The exciting thing about sports is that you have to line up and you have to execute on the day," head coach Adrian Wheatley said. "Charity was in a position where she had to make the next bar to secure her position at the national meet. Sitting back and watching her set up her approach, it was clutch. From a coach, I'm looking at this like big-time athletes make big-time plays in big-time situations. It was very exciting just to see her step up and do it.
"The thing that she has done all year long has been consistent in what her training has been like. Her and Coach (Holly) Hankenson have devised a plan and have stuck with it and not wavered from it. It's her second time at the NCAA Championship. Her experience indoors has put her in a position where she knows what the expectations are and she's going to go out and compete and take it one bar at a time. As a program, we're excited for her to continue to keep representing Ball State."
Griffith's fate came down to her final jump at 1.84m, needing to clear it to qualify for the championship.
"My first jump wasn't great," Griffith said. "My second jump, I knew I had to execute my last two steps of my jump. I stayed where I was at, tried to calm my nerves and focused on getting my foot across the midline. It was exciting and nerve-racking."
With the qualification, Griffith will compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, June 8-11, in Eugene, Ore.
"I'm hoping it goes well," Griffith added. "Everything may not go according to plan - God's plan is not always my plan. I'm very excited for this last step. I'm just going to go out there, do my best and have fun."
The Cardinals were also represented at the prelims by Kayla Jones, who ran the 800m in a time of 2:08.46 and placed 39th, eight places better than her regional seed.
"The exciting thing about sports is that you have to line up and you have to execute on the day," head coach Adrian Wheatley said. "Charity was in a position where she had to make the next bar to secure her position at the national meet. Sitting back and watching her set up her approach, it was clutch. From a coach, I'm looking at this like big-time athletes make big-time plays in big-time situations. It was very exciting just to see her step up and do it.
"The thing that she has done all year long has been consistent in what her training has been like. Her and Coach (Holly) Hankenson have devised a plan and have stuck with it and not wavered from it. It's her second time at the NCAA Championship. Her experience indoors has put her in a position where she knows what the expectations are and she's going to go out and compete and take it one bar at a time. As a program, we're excited for her to continue to keep representing Ball State."
Griffith's fate came down to her final jump at 1.84m, needing to clear it to qualify for the championship.
"My first jump wasn't great," Griffith said. "My second jump, I knew I had to execute my last two steps of my jump. I stayed where I was at, tried to calm my nerves and focused on getting my foot across the midline. It was exciting and nerve-racking."
With the qualification, Griffith will compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, June 8-11, in Eugene, Ore.
"I'm hoping it goes well," Griffith added. "Everything may not go according to plan - God's plan is not always my plan. I'm very excited for this last step. I'm just going to go out there, do my best and have fun."
The Cardinals were also represented at the prelims by Kayla Jones, who ran the 800m in a time of 2:08.46 and placed 39th, eight places better than her regional seed.
Players Mentioned
High Jump
/ Track & Field
Sprints
/ Track & FieldHomecoming // Cardinal Sinners! Presented by Gameday Spirit
Friday, October 17
Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses the NCAA vs. House Settlement
Tuesday, July 01
Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses NCAA vs. House Settlement & Bill Richards Thank You
Friday, June 27
Heart of the Cardinal Podcast // Kenli Nettles Track and Field Journey
Sunday, June 08