Jenelle Rogers Starts Strong at MAC Indoor Championships

Jenelle Rogers Starts Strong at MAC Indoor Championships

February 23, 2024 | Track & Field

YIPSILANTI, Mich. -- Track and field had a strong start in Ypsilanti on day one of the indoor MAC Championship meet.

Jenelle Rogers led the way, claiming the championship in the pentathlon. Rogers was dominant from the start, recording her first of three pentathlon event wins in the opening 60m hurdles (8.52). She also took the first-place spot in the shot put (14.33m) and the long jump (5.88m), supporting her total score of 4056.

Rogers's success didn't end there. In the early evening, she took flight in the individual long jump event and hit a new indoor best mark of 6.26m. Her efforts were good to secure another MAC championship title.

On the track, Makayla Sumrall and Alana Springer secured their place in the 60m finals after they both finished in the top eight during the preliminary rounds. Sumrall finished sixth with a qualifying time of 7.56 and Springer finished seventh with a qualifying time of 7.57. The 60m final will take place Saturday at 2:50 p.m.

Jenna Oriani also had a successful day of qualifiers. In the 400m prelims, Oriani ran an impressive race securing the first-place spot with a time of 55.38 and qualifying for the finals. Her efforts were good to win her a spot in the Ball State record book as she is now tied for the fifth best indoor 400m finish. Later in the day, Oriani qualified in the 200m with a fifth-place finish and a time of 24.72.

Springer also secured a spot in the 200m finals, finishing seventh in prelims and crossing the finish line in 24.81.

The distance medley relay wrapped up track events for day one. The relay team, made up of Carly Spletzer, Paige Kirtz, Leila Williams-Molitor and Sarah Mahnensmith, finished sixth overall with a time of 11:55.48. Their time was the fastest Ball State DMR finish in the past ten years.

The Cardinals will look to continue success into day two as they compete for the indoor MAC Championship. Saturday's events will open with the shot put scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Ball State Individual Results at Indoor MAC Championships
Pentathlon
1st – Jenelle Rogers (4056)
60m Hurdles – 1st (8.52)
    High Jump – 4th (1.69m)
    Shot Put – 1st (14.33m)
    Long Jump – 1st (5.88m)
    800m – 13th (2:40.05)
9th – Sophie Daugard (3406)
    60m Hurdles – 12th (9.40)
    High Jump - (1.51m)
    Shot Put – 3rd (12.65m)
    Long Jump – 5th (5.39m)
    800m – 12th (2:39.93)
16th – Kendra Keesling (2317)
    60m Hurdles – 16th (9.88)
    High Jump – NA
    Shot Put – 11th (9.95m)
    Long Jump – 8th (5.28m)
    800m – 15th (2:54.41)

Mile – Prelims
15th – Maci Hoskins (5:22.97)

60m Hurdles – Prelims
14th – Jennah Rogers (8.79)
15th – Lauren Graham (9.00)

400m – Prelims
1st – Jenna Oriani (55.38)q
9th – Emma Potter (56.84)
10th – Alexis Thigpen (57.04)
21st – Allison Valladay (59.73)