Rogers Wins Heptathlon, Cardinals Continue to Perform at MAC Outdoor Championships

AKRON, Ohio – The Ball State track and field team completed day two of the 2023 Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a huge event win in the heptathlon and numerous strong individual performances. Today's team efforts put the Cardinals in third place in the team rankings heading into the final day of competition.

"The ladies competed courageously throughout the first two days of the competition. Success is enjoyed more when a team does it together. All year long, we have been preparing for this big show," said head coach Adrian Wheatley. "Tomorrow is the final day of the big show, and we have representation all over. I'm excited to see the young ladies continue to compete for each other and finish the job."

Jenelle Rogers won the heptathlon event and broke the previous program record with her tally of 5,667 points. Rogers finished in the top-two in five out of the seven heptathlon events. Charity Griffith earned a silver medal, placing second overall with 5,632 points. Her mark also surpassed the previous program record. Lea-Marie Diedicke finished in fifth place, and with three top-five finishes in the event, the Cardinals collected a tally of 22 points in the heptathlon event.

Jenelle Rogers scored a huge personal best in the shot put. She threw 14.46m / 47-5.25 and earned a fourth-place finish.

Jenelle Rogers placed second in the 100m hurdles prelims, winning her heat and automatically qualifying for the 100m hurdles finals. Charity Griffith and Jennah Rogers each qualified for the 100m hurdles finals with their marks.

Emma Potter qualified for the 400m after winning her heat in 55.71. Allison Valladay's mark of 56.18 also earned her a spot in the 400m finals.

Jenelle Rogers earned a personal best and tallied a second-place finish in the long jump finals (6.21m / 20-4.5). Charity Griffith also scored a personal best in the long jump.

In the 100m prelims, Alana Springer, Jenna Oriani and Moriah Johnson all punched a ticket to the finals. Moriah Johnson ran her first sub-12-second time in the 100m running an 11.79.

The Cardinals begin day three tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. with the discus and the high jump. See below for the entries for day three.

Individual Results in the MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships
**Rankings refer to the individual's results in the respective meet**

Heptathlon / Program Record: 5,455 by Charity Griffith in 2022
1. Jenelle Rogers
2. Charity Griffith
5. Lea-Marie Diedicke

Shot Put / Program Record: 48-5.5 / 14.77m by Kelsey Walters in 2018
4. Jenelle Rogers
13. Malena Higgins

100m Hurdles / Program Record: 13.18 by Amber Williams in 2007
2. Jenelle Rogers Q
7. Charity Griffith q
8. Jennah Rogers q

400m / Program Record: 53.68 by Yvonne Ferguson in 2006
3. Emma Potter Q
7. Allison Valladay q

Long Jump / Program Record: 21-8 / 6.60m by Patricia Soman in 2003
2. Jenelle Rogers
6. Charity Griffith

100m / Program Record: 11.08 by LaTasha Jenkins in 1999
4. Alana Springer Q
6. Jenna Oriani Q
7. Moriah Johnson q
13. Lindley Steele

3000m Steeple / Program Record: 10:34.05 by Katie Nowak in 2002
11. Shelby Christman
15. Juliana Stogsdill

Ball State Entries for Saturday, May 13:

Discus Throw (12:30 p.m.): Malena Higgins
High Jump (12:30 p.m.): Mary Porter, Jenelle Rogers, Charity Griffith
4x100m Relay (1:00 p.m.): Moriah Johnson, Alana Springer, Lindley Steele, Jenna Oriani
1500m Final (1:25 p.m.): Sarah Greer, Sarah Mahnensmith
100m Hurdles Final (1:50 p.m.): Jenelle Rogers, Charity Griffith, Jennah Rogers
400m Final (2:10 p.m.): Allison Valladay, Emma Potter
100m Final (2:30 p.m.): Alana Springer, Jenna Oriani, Moriah Johnson, Lindley Steele
Triple Jump (2:30 p.m.): Taylor Hickman, McKenna Cinotte
400m Hurdle Final (3:15 p.m.): Lea-Marie Diedicke, Mary Porter, Leila Williams-Molitor
5000m Run (3:55 p.m.): Shelby Christman, Sarah Mahnensmith
4x400m Relay (4:40 p.m.): Alexis Thigpen, Emma Potter, Jenna Oriani, Allison Valladay

Rogers Wins Heptathlon, Cardinals Continue to Perform at MAC Outdoor Championships

Players Mentioned

Shelby Christman

Mckenna Cinotte

Taylor Hickman

Malena Higgins

Moriah Johnson

Sarah Mahnensmith

Jenna Oriani

Mary Porter

Emma Potter

Jenelle Rogers

Jennah Rogers

Alana Springer

Lindley Steele

Alexis Thigpen

Allison Valladay

Leila Williams-Molitor