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Wednesday, May 27
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NCAA First Round
Photo by: Brayden Goins / Ball State Athletics
Miller Clears 1.76m in NCAA East Region High Jump
May 30, 2026 | Track & Field
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Malina Miller needed just two attempts to clear the high jump bar at 1.76 meters on Saturday in NCAA First Round competition, but the next height at 1.79 meters remained elusive.
Miller, the Mid-American Conference champion in the high jump, entered the competition alongside freshman teammate Nina Garner, both who had 1.76 meters as personal bests prior to the MAC Championships, two weeks ago. Miller emerged as the MAC champ in the league meet on May 16, with Garner placing fourth. Miller had eclipsed 1.76 meters once during the indoor season, then got over the bar at 1.77 meters for the MAC title.
Saturday, after Garner was eliminated from competition at a beginning height of 1.71 meters, Miller missed on her first attempt at 1.76, then cleared the bar on her second. In flight No. 2 at the University of Kentucky Track and Field Complex, Miller approached the third height as one of 12 remaining jumpers. Twenty-four jumped in each of two flights, with the top 12 jumpers from the East advancing to the NCAA Championships, June 10-13, in Eugene, Oregon.
With the new height set at what would be a personal record at 1.79, Miller missed on each of three attempts, leaving her tied for 10th in the second flight and tied for 24th overall. She entered the regional track meet seeded 25th.
Miller's final attempt marked the end of four Ball State competitions in this week's NCAA East First Round. Thursday, Laya'Lapri Ratney finished 33rd in the 100-meter hurdles and Kenli Nettles finished 35th in the 400-meter hurdles. Saturday, Garner failed to record a height in the high jump, and Miller slotted 24th. The Cardinals' track season continues with Nettle's entry in the NCAA heptathlon finals, to be conducted at historic Hayward Field in Eugene on June 12 and 13.
Miller, the Mid-American Conference champion in the high jump, entered the competition alongside freshman teammate Nina Garner, both who had 1.76 meters as personal bests prior to the MAC Championships, two weeks ago. Miller emerged as the MAC champ in the league meet on May 16, with Garner placing fourth. Miller had eclipsed 1.76 meters once during the indoor season, then got over the bar at 1.77 meters for the MAC title.
Saturday, after Garner was eliminated from competition at a beginning height of 1.71 meters, Miller missed on her first attempt at 1.76, then cleared the bar on her second. In flight No. 2 at the University of Kentucky Track and Field Complex, Miller approached the third height as one of 12 remaining jumpers. Twenty-four jumped in each of two flights, with the top 12 jumpers from the East advancing to the NCAA Championships, June 10-13, in Eugene, Oregon.
With the new height set at what would be a personal record at 1.79, Miller missed on each of three attempts, leaving her tied for 10th in the second flight and tied for 24th overall. She entered the regional track meet seeded 25th.
Miller's final attempt marked the end of four Ball State competitions in this week's NCAA East First Round. Thursday, Laya'Lapri Ratney finished 33rd in the 100-meter hurdles and Kenli Nettles finished 35th in the 400-meter hurdles. Saturday, Garner failed to record a height in the high jump, and Miller slotted 24th. The Cardinals' track season continues with Nettle's entry in the NCAA heptathlon finals, to be conducted at historic Hayward Field in Eugene on June 12 and 13.
Players Mentioned
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