Hale Clears 1.65m Again To Match Personal Record and Win High Jump Event

Photo by: Brayden Minix/Ball State Athletics

Hale Clears 1.65m Again To Match Personal Record and Win High Jump Event

January 23, 2026 | Track & Field

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State sophomore Lexi Hale cleared the high jump bar at 1.65 meters for the fourth time this season and seventh time in her career, matching her personal record and beating 15 competitors to capture the collegiate division event during Friday's opening day at the Crossroads of America Invitational.

Hale first established her personal best last April and matched it three times during the Cardinals' outdoor season. Thus far in Ball State's indoor season, she has cleared 1.65m four times, while winning a pair of events. In both wins this year, she has claimed the title by clearing the bar with fewer misses than other competitors who have also reached that height.

Earlier in the day, in the more elite invite division of the high jump, Malina Miller finished sixth by clearing the bar at 1.72 meters, and Bella Jackson placed ninth at a height of 1.69 meters.

Elsewhere, the Cardinals placed seven sprinters in the 60m dash and six in the 200m dash. Senior Alana Springer paced Ball State in both races and will compete Saturday morning in the finals of the 60m. She won the second heat in that event Friday with a time of 7.72 seconds.

"It was a solid day and another step in the right direction for this team," said Cardinals coach Adrian Wheatley. "We're putting together consistent results, and the response to adversity continues to be a strength. They trust each other, and they keep working together through every part of their races."

Friday's results and Saturday's upcoming schedule:

FRIDAY'S EVENTS
Weight Throw - Collegiate Division
11th, Malena Higgins, Sr. - 16.10m PR
22nd, Sydney Miller, Jr. - 13.25m
24th, Brooklyn Taylor, Jr. - 13.08m

High Jump - Invite Division
6th, Malina Miller, Jr. - 1.72m
9th, Bella Jackson, Sr. - 1.69m

Long Jump - Collegiate Division
15th, Kylee Marshall, So. - 5.28m
17th, Anisa Barnett, Fr., 5.27m

60m Dash - Preliminary Heats
11th, Alana Springer, Sr. - 7.72 (Qualified; won Heat 2)
15th, Kylee Marshall, So. - 7.76
19th, Laya'Lapri Ratney, So. - 7.83
24th, Trinity Bibbs, Fr. - 7.87
25th, Amina Hadziahmetovic, Fr. - 7.88 PR
29th, Savannah Lake, So. - 7.95
32nd, Jiah Davenport, So. - 8.01

High Jump - Collegiate Division
1st, Lexi Hale, So. - 1.65m PR (tie)

3000m Run
6th, Sarah Mahnensmith, Sr. - 10:15.94
17th, Kendyl Thrasher, Jr. - 11:05.90

200m Dash
14th, Alana Springer, Sr. - 24.61
20th, Amina Hadziahmetovic, Fr. - 25.12
23rd, Laya'Lapri Ratney, So. - 25.27
32nd, Paige Kirtz, Jr. - 25.71
44th, Savannah Lake, So. - 26.57
46th, Jiah Davenport, So. - 26.63
Trinity Bibbs, Fr. - DNS
Lia Patterson, Fr. - DNS

SATURDAY'S EVENTS
Shot Put
Sydney Miller, Jr. - 13.54m
Brooklyn Taylor, Jr. - 13.51m
Malena Higgins, Sr. - 13.38m

Triple Jump
Anisa Barnett, Fr. - 11.67

60m Dash - Finals
Alana Springer, Sr. - 7.45
Laya'Lapri Ratney, So. - 7.57
Trinity Bibbs, Fr. - 7.65
Kylee Marshall, So. - 7.67
Savannah Lake, So. - 7.78
Jiah Davenport, So. - 7.80
Amina Hadziahmetovic, Fr. - 7.94

Mile Run
Sarah Mahnensmith, Sr. - 4:51.54
Kaitlyn Kauppila, Fr. - 5:07.40

800m Dash
Mikayla Mimnaugh, Jr. - 2:20.01