Why Not Us? – Rogers and Griffith have sights set on national championship contention

For Jenelle Rogers, Ball State's powerful junior athlete who has come to specialize in multi-events with the Cardinals track team, this is her first visit to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, conducted this weekend at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas.

For Charity Griffith, the high jump specialist who finished fifth in the NCAA Indoor Championships in March and fifth in the last year's outdoor championships, returning to the national stage is familiar – if not even comforting: "I'm more confident. I feel like I've earned my way here and I have a shot at a national championship. I know I belong. It helps a lot, already knowing that."

Rogers benefits from Griffith's experience, too: "Having her with me has been a huge support. She knows what to do, where to go and what to do next. It's been such a big help going through this with somebody that already knows."

Griffith suggests Rogers is just fine without her assistance: "She's pretty chill about the whole thing. She knows she belongs here. I told her at the beginning of the year: 'We're both going to nationals.'

And here they are, both at this week's nationals in Austin.

Rogers begins her trek through heptathlon competition later today, starting with the 100 M hurdles at 2:45 p.m. CT, followed by the heptathlon high jump at 3:45 p.m. Her day continues with the shot put at 5:45 and the evening closes with a 200 M sprint at 9:43 p.m.

After winning the heptathlon at the Mid-American Conference Championships with a BSU-record 5,667 points earlier this month, Rogers was an automatic qualifier for this week's NCAA heptathlon, ranking 21st out of the county's top 24 entries. Coincidentally, Griffith finished second to Rogers at the MAC Championships and just missed qualifying for the NCAA heptathlon, too.

In addition to the benefit of working daily with Griffith, Rogers was aided by last week's NCAA East Preliminary Round in which she competed in the long jump in Jacksonville, Florida. Last week's 26th-place performance (out of 48) didn't qualify her for this week's long jump competition, but it put her on the stage with the nation's top competitors.

"It was good for my nerves," she said earlier this week, "getting to compete against so many schools, some bigger schools, and people who compete at this higher level."

In Austin, she'll navigate seven events over two days. Asked which is her best event, she was uncertain: "That's a hard one. I actually talked with my coaches about that this week and I really wasn't sure. I think the hurdles, long jump and shot may be tied."

Running, jumping, throwing. Pretty good versatility for the Illinois native who came to college as a jumper, alongside sister and Cardinals teammate Jennah. Jenelle inquired about learning throws and Ball State coaches suggested she try the heptathlon. It clicked.

"She's a powerful athlete," said Griffith when asked about Rogers' progression. "She's instilled her power into each of her events and she caught on real quick. I've been able to help her when coaches aren't around. It's been a fun journey watching her in the weight room, watching her get faster, watching her gain confidence!"

Griffith already knows this stage is where she belongs. The senior from Rushville, Indiana, has become one of the most decorated Cardinal track stars in history. In fact, last year's All-America finish in the high jump was the highest NCAA finish ever by a BSU trackster.

When asked about her biggest challenge this weekend, she said she's "trying to find her approach again," referring her approach to the bar and her jump. Laughing, she added, "thinking too much can be a problem, though."

Griffith, whose high jump event takes place Saturday at 7:30 p.m., says she has been ready for these moments since she was in high school, when she told herself she wanted to compete for an NCAA championship. She says her motivation has been instilled by "God and my family. They have always pushed me."

She added, "I know that I'm a person here on this stage just like everyone else."

Can she be the one to win? "Why can't I?"

At this stage of competition, Rogers and Griffith know they belong athletically. At this level, the mental approach can dictate an athlete's ascent among the leaders.

Rogers, who typically records her best scores on Day 1 of the heptathlon in the shot put, hurdles and long jump, says Day 2 is her toughest mental challenge: "The hardest part for me is mental, and especially going from the javelin to the 800 meters. It's the last event, it's worth a lot of points and you want to be done. It's nerve-wracking and partly because I haven't done the 800 as much."

Rogers will attack those events beginning with Saturday afternoon's heptathlon long jump at 4:00 p.m. Her three final events surround Griffith's mental wrangling and her performance in the high jump.

"I visualize myself before each jump," said Griffith, discussing her mental method. "I try to see myself clearing the bar – and I also try not to overthink too much! I try to relax between my jumps. I look at the verses on my shoes to help me to relax while I visualize my approach."

Wait, verses on shoes?

Yes, a Biblical reference to Isaiah 40:31 adorns Griffith's right shoe. The passage reads, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

A pair of Cardinals – Rogers and Griffith – hope to soar the next two evenings in Austin, Texas.

Why Not Us? – Rogers and Griffith have sights set on national championship contention

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jenelle Rogers

Ball State University Athletics