MAC CHAMPIONS: Track & Field Wins League Title

AKRON, Ohio - - The Ball State women's track & field team made the most of Championship Saturday, scoring a whopping 70 points on the final day of competition at the Lee R. Jackson Track & Field Complex to win the 2023 Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

"I am really proud of our young ladies," head coach Adrian Wheatley said. "We talk all year long that it's a dress rehearsal for the big show, and this weekend was the big show. I am proud of each and every member of this team. They've committed to each other and it's more enjoyable when you ride the bus when you have success as a team, versus an individual. I am really proud of our young ladies, and this is a starting stone for us to continue to have success as we continue to move forward in the future."

It is the fifth MAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships title in program history and the Cardinals first since the 2001 campaign. Ball State also won the 1996, 1998, and 2000 event.

Entering the day with 38 points, all of which came in Friday action, the Cardinals made an early statement Saturday as Moriah Johnson, Alana Springer, Lindley Steele, and Jenna Oriani combined for a track and MAC Championship record time of 44.93 to take home the title in the 4x100m relay.

It was the sixth time Ball State has won the 4x100m relay and the first since the 2000 season. It was also just shy of the program record time of 44.85 set during the 2021 season.

Ball State continued to build momentum from there thanks in part to Charity Griffith's first podium finish of the day, as she took third overall in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.74.

Griffith, who placed second in the heptathlon Friday, would go on to earn her second consecutive outdoor high jump title by clearing 1.73m (5'-8'). After passing on the first four heights of the day, Griffith was the only competitor to clear 1.73m on her first jump which earned her the title.

Ball State also received a pair of third place finishes from Springer, who took home bronze in both the 100m (11.80) and 200m (23.78).

In addition to the team title, Ball State's individuals were highly rewarded for their efforts, starting with Wheatley who was named the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year.

Springer was named the MAC Freshman Track Performer of the Year, while Jenelle Rogers earned MAC Most Valuable Performer honors.

2023 MAC Championship Team Standings:
1st - Ball State - 108 points
2nd - Eastern Michigan - 105
3rd - Miami - 96.50
4th - Bowling Green - 91
5th - Northern Illinois - 76
6th - Akron - 74.50
7th - Kent State - 67
8th - Buffalo - 62
9th - Central Michigan - 57
10th - Toledo - 46
11th - Ohio - 28
12th - Western Michigan - 7

Ball State Individual Saturday Results at the MAC Outdoor Championships
4x100m Relay
Program Record: 44.85 by Kennedy Batts, Bryeana Byrdsong, MaQuila Norman, Michelle Lehman in 2021
1st - Moriah Johnson, Alana Springer, Lindley Steele, Jenna Oriani - 44.93 (Track, Meet Record) - 10 Points

1500m Run
Program Record: 4:25.67 by Katie Nowak in 2002 8:50
10th - Sarah Mahnensmith - 4:36.73

100m Hurdles
Program Record: 13.18 by Amber Williams in 2007
3rd - Charity Griffith - 13.74 - 6 points
6th - Jenelle Rogers - 13.84 - 3 points
8th - Jennah Rogers - 14.15 - 1 point

400m Dash
Program Record: 53.68 by Yvonne Ferguson in 2006
4th - Emma Potter - 55.17 - 5 points
6th - Allison Valladay - 56.09 - 3 points

100m Dash
Program Record: 11.08 by LaTasha Jenkins in 1999
3rd - Alana Springer - 11.80 - 6 points
6th - Jenna Oriani - 11.89 - 3 points
7th - Moriah Johnson - 11.90 - 2 points

200m Dash
Program Record: 22.29 by LaTasha Jenkins in 1999
3rd - Alana Springer - 23.78 - 6 points
4th - Jenna Oriani - 24.01 - 5 points

5000m Run
Program Record: 16:15.29 by Katie Nowak in 2003
12th - Shelby Christman - 17:36.83
DNF - Sarah Mahnensmith

4x400m Relay
Program Record: 3:38.05 by Linise Gordon, Angka Morris, Jada Phelps, Patricia Soman in 2001
4th - Alexis Thigpen, Jenna Oriani, Emma Potter, Allison Valladay - 3:43.28 - 5 points

Discus
Program Record: 156'-11" / 47.82m by Christy Richhart in 1995
19th - Malena Higgins - 112'-8" / 34.35m

High Jump
Program Record: 6'-0.75" / 1.85m by Charity Griffith in 2023
1st - Charity Griffith - 5'-8" / 1.73m - 10 points
6th - Jenelle Rogers - 5'-6.5" / 1.69m - 3 points
7th - Mary Porter - 5'-4.5" / 1.64m - 2 points

Triple Jump
Program Record: 44-0.75 / 13.43m by Patricia Soman in 2003
14th - McKenna Cinotte - 38'-0.75" / 11.60m
19th - Taylor Hickman - 34'-5" / 10.49m

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kennedy Batts

Shelby Christman

Mckenna Cinotte

Taylor Hickman

Malena Higgins

Moriah Johnson

Sarah Mahnensmith

MaQuila Norman

Jenna Oriani

Mary Porter

Emma Potter

Jenelle Rogers

Jennah Rogers

Alana Springer

Lindley Steele

Alexis Thigpen

Allison Valladay