Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Samantha Blankenship / Ball State University
Indoor Track Season Opens This Weekend
December 05, 2025 | Track & Field
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Distance specialists and seniors Sarah Mahnensmith and Maci Hoskins take part Friday afternoon in the 5,000-meter run at the GVSU Holiday Open, in a meet that starts the Ball State indoor track season in Allendale, Micigan. Paired with the Tom Wright Open on Saturday in Ohio, both meets open an indoor campaign with 10 competitions leading up to the 2026 MAC Indoor Championships and 2026 NCAA Indoor Championships in February and March.
Ironically, Mahnensmith's and Hoskins' best times in the Indoor 5,000 meters both came during events in Michigan during their freshman seasons in 2023. Mahnensmith, in fact, turned in her best time, 16:52.95, in the Indoor 5000m in February 2023 at Grand Valley State, where Friday's race takes place. Hoskins' 18:57.23 took place in Saginaw in December 2023 -- the last time she actually competed in the Indoor 5000m.
Race time for Mahnensmith and Hoskins is approximately 6:00 p.m., Friday, from GVSU's Kelly Family Sports Center.
Saturday, 28 Cardinals athletes will participate over 10 events conducted at Bowling Green's Perry Fieldhouse, in a full meet schedule that begins at noon. Among the Ball State competitors are 18 sprinters, plus jumpers and throwers. Multi-event specialists Kendra Keesling and Kenli Nettles will compete in the 60-meter hurdles, long jump and shot put.
"We're excited to kick off the competitive season at Bowling Green and Grand Valley this weekend," said Cardinals track head coach Adrian Wheatley. "Our veterans will anchor us with their experience, and it's a prime opportunity for our newer athletes to get live runs and see where we stand. We're all about setting a solid foundation and building from there."
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Ironically, Mahnensmith's and Hoskins' best times in the Indoor 5,000 meters both came during events in Michigan during their freshman seasons in 2023. Mahnensmith, in fact, turned in her best time, 16:52.95, in the Indoor 5000m in February 2023 at Grand Valley State, where Friday's race takes place. Hoskins' 18:57.23 took place in Saginaw in December 2023 -- the last time she actually competed in the Indoor 5000m.
Race time for Mahnensmith and Hoskins is approximately 6:00 p.m., Friday, from GVSU's Kelly Family Sports Center.
Saturday, 28 Cardinals athletes will participate over 10 events conducted at Bowling Green's Perry Fieldhouse, in a full meet schedule that begins at noon. Among the Ball State competitors are 18 sprinters, plus jumpers and throwers. Multi-event specialists Kendra Keesling and Kenli Nettles will compete in the 60-meter hurdles, long jump and shot put.
"We're excited to kick off the competitive season at Bowling Green and Grand Valley this weekend," said Cardinals track head coach Adrian Wheatley. "Our veterans will anchor us with their experience, and it's a prime opportunity for our newer athletes to get live runs and see where we stand. We're all about setting a solid foundation and building from there."
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Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Multis
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