Two Event Wins, School Records and More From T&F

Friday, January 20

Bloomington, IN

All Day

Ball State University

Gladstein Invitational

January 21, 2023 | Track & Field

BLOOMINGTON, IN – The Ball State track and field team closed out the Gladstein Invitational Saturday afternoon by recording two more event wins, including a program record 600m run by Kayla Jones.

Jones led from the gun at the Gladstein Fieldhouse and cruised to a winning time of 1:30.69, which was nearly three seconds faster than her previous program record mark.

Junior Alexis Thigpen made it a 1-2 finish in her 600m debut, notching a personal best time of 1:35.52. She was able to sneak up from third into second in the last 80 meters, showing her closing strength.

Freshman Leila Williams-Molitor closed out a strong effort in the 600m, winning her heat and placing fifth overall at 1:39.59.

Overall, freshman Malena Higgins set the tone for the Cardinals in the shot put. Recording a collegiate best of 13.06m to take fourth.

The Cardinals turned in another 1-2 finish in the 200m, courtesy of sophomore Jenna Oriani and freshman Alana Springer. Oriani won the event with a 24.59 and Springer finished right behind in 24.88. Both student-athletes recorded indoor personal bests with the performances.

In the long jump, senior Charity Griffith recorded a season best distance of 5.79m 19'-0") and placed second overall and lead six Cardinals in the event.

Ball State closed the meet with a strong showing In the 4x400m, as Oriani, Thigpen, Jones, and Williams-Molitor combined for a time of 3:53.57 to place second overall.

Ball State Individual Results in the Gladstein Invitational
Long Jump / Program Record: 6.43m / 21-1.5 by Patricia Soman in 2003
2. Charity Griffith 5.79m / 19.0
4. Jenelle Rogers 5.60m / 18-4.5
17. Moriah Johnson 5.16m / 16-11.25
19. Lindley Steele 5.13m / 16-10.0
20. Lea-Marie Diedicke 5.12m / 16-9.75
22. Mckenna Cinotte 5.10m / 16-8.75

Shot Put / Program Record: 15.33m / 50-3.5 by Kelsey Walters in 2020
4. Malena Higgins (13.06m / 42-10.25)

600m Run / Program Record: 1:30.69 by Kayla Jones in 2023
1. Kayla Jones (1:30.69)
2. Alexis Thigpen (1:32.52)
5. Leila Williams-Molitor (1:39.58)

200m Dash / Program Record: 23.25 by LaTasha Jenkins in 1999
1. Jenna Oriani (24.59)
2. Alana Springer (24.88)

4x400 Relay / Program Record: 3:39.94 (c) by Jada Phelps, Angka Morris, Patricia Soman and Linise Gordon in 2001
2. Section 2 – Jenna Oriani, Alexis Thigpen, Kayla Jones, Leila Williams-Molitor (3:53.57)
4. Section 1 – Charity Griffith, Jenelle Rogers, Lea-Marie Diedicke, Lindley Steele (3:57.65)

The Cardinals head back to Bloomington on Jan. 27 and Jan. 28 to compete in the IU Relays.