Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Heartland Invitational
Barnett Captures Triple Jump Title at Heartland Invitational
February 14, 2026 | Track & Field
Following a dramatic high jump victory by Nina Garner on Friday evening, Anisa Barnett clinched the triple jump title on Saturday with a personal-record jump of 11.77 meters, on her second of six attempts. Barnett took the lead in the event with her best jump, and was never challenged over a series of six attempts among 10 entrants.
Elsewhere Saturday, in the invitational division of the high jump, Ball State junior Malina Miller finished third by clearing the bar at 1.74 meters. Senior Alana Springer posted a sixth-place finish in the 200 meters, and senior Malena Higgins finished seventh in the shot put. Freshman distance runner Kaitlyn Kauppila paced three Cardinals runners with a ninth-place finish in the mile run.
In the final event of the day, Ball State finished third in the 4x400m relay, behind Eastern Michigan and Southern Illinois, with starting legs from Alana Springer, Abby Brennan and Amina Hadziahmetovic anchored by Paige Kirtz.
This weekend's meet set the tone for the Cardinals heading into the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships in two weeks.
"We're really pleased with how our group competed at the Heartland Invitational this weekend," said veteran coach Adrian Wheatley. "It's exciting to see our young ladies gaining momentum in the right direction as we get closer to championship season. We saw multiple personal and season-best performances, and one athlete earned a spot on our school's all-time top-five list. That kind of progress is a reflection of the work they've put in, and the consistency they're showing at the right time of year.
The Cardinals return to Muncie where they prepare the next two weeks for the MAC Championships, hosted by Central Michigan, Feb. 27-28.
Wheatley added, "There's definitely momentum building within this program. Over the next couple of weeks, our emphasis will be on sharpening the details, staying disciplined in our preparation, and trusting the process as we get ready for the MAC Championships. Our ladies are focused, confident and excited for the opportunity to compete on the championship stage."
Ball State results s in the Heartland Invitational:
FRIDAY'S EVENTS
Weight Throw
8th, Malena Higgins, Sr. -- 16.82m PR
13th, Brooklyn Taylor, Jr. -- 15.97m
31st, Ayla Rice, Jr. -- 12.01m
Long Jump -- Invitational Division
3rd, Kenli Nettles, Sr. -- 5.90m
60m Hurdles
2nd, Laya'Lapri Ratney, So. -- 8.44 PR (ranked 1st in MAC, 6th in Great Lakes Region)
16th, Lia Patterson, Fr. -- 8.93
21st, Lauren Graham, Jr. -- 9.08
22nd, Lily Eagleston, Fr. -- 9.10
29th, Kendra Keesling, Jr. -- 9.29 PR
43rd, Phaelin Jones, Fr. -- 10.12
60m Dash
19th, Kylee Marshall, So. -- 7.79
30th, Jiah Davenport, So. -- 7.86 (7.855)
31st, Savannah Lake, So. -- 7.86 (7.860)
Long Jump -- Collegiate Division
2nd, Kylee Marshall, So. -- 5.74m
7th, Kendra Keesling, Jr. -- 5.54m PR
12th, Anisa Barnett, Fr. -- 5.37m
22nd, Phaelin Jones, Fr. -- 5.05m
High Jump -- Collegiate Division
1st, Nina Garner, Fr. - 1.76m PR (ranked 2nd in MAC, 7th in Great Lakes Region)
3rd, Lexi Hale, So. -- 1.70m PR
5th, Bella Jackson, Sr. -- 1.67m
3000m Run
12th, Emily Decker, Fr. -- 9:56.74 PR
19th, Kaitlyn Kauppila, Fr. -- 10:07.43
21st, Maci Hoskins, Jr. -- 10:08.81 PR
26th, Sarah Mahnensmith, Sr. -- 10:20.65
400m Dash
10th, Paige Kirtz, Jr. -- 56.29 PR
32nd, Amina Hadziahmetovic, Fr. -- 58.00
38th, Abby Brennan, Sr. -- 58.79
SATURDAY'S EVENTS
Shot Put
7th, Malena Higgins, Sr. -- 13.78m PR
12th, Sydney Miller, Jr. -- 12.93m
26th, Ayla Rice, Jr. -- 10.99m
Mile Run
9th, Kaitlyn Kauppila, Fr. -- 4:56.64 PR
12th, Sarah Mahnensmith, Sr. - 4:58.16
30th, Maci Hoskins, Jr. -- 5:15.41
Triple Jump
1st, Anisa Barnett, Fr. -- 11.77m PR
200m Dash
6th, Alana Springer, Sr. -- 24.22
13th, Kylee Marshall, So. -- 24.80
18th, Laya'Lapri Ratney, So. -- 24.97 PR
48th, Jiah Davenport, So. -- 26.11 PR
52nd, Savannah Lake, So. -- 26.23
High Jump -- Invitational Division
3rd, Malina Miller, Jr. -- 1.74m
4x400m Relay
3rd, Springer, Brennan, Hadziahmetovic, Kirtz -- 3:46.29
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Players Mentioned
