Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Ball State Athletics
Cardinals Add Four More Signings to Bring Incoming Class to 10
July 14, 2026 | Track & Field
MUNCIE, Ind.— Ball State Track & Field has announced four new signings to complement six already committed, bringing the total of new student-athletes for the upcoming season to 10 for head coach Adrian Wheatley.
"We're excited to welcome this group to Ball State because they bring success across every area of our program," Wheatley said. "This class includes state champions, state medalists and athletes who have consistently competed at a high level in their respective states. More importantly, they've demonstrated the work ethic, competitiveness and character that fit the culture we have built."
The signings include nine true freshmen and represent three different states around the Midwest. They also include athletes for five of the six categories of events; five for distance events, two for throwing events, two for sprints, one for hurdles and one for multi-events.
Ball State Track & Field 2026-27 Signing Class
Emma Behrmann — Multi-Event, Nashville, Ill. / Nashville Community High School
Mikaylah Chandler — Sprints / Hurdles, Cincinnati, Ohio / Lakota East High School
Ava Dickenson — Distance, Cincinnati, Ohio / Lakota East High School
Jayla Gathing — Throws, Edwardsville, Ill. / Edwardsville High School
Elaina Lahmers — Distance, Marysville, Ohio / University of Kentucky
Madalyn Marx — Sprints, Mahomet, Ill. / Mahomet-Seymour High School
Abra Mills — Distance, Oxford, Ohio / Talawanda High School
Gemma Pusateri — Distance, Hilliard, Ohio / Hilliard Davidson High School
Carla Rodriguez — Distance, Lafayette, Ind. / Harrison High School
Ellyse Walden — Throws, Russiaville, Ind. / Western High School
"We're excited to welcome this group to Ball State because they bring success across every area of our program," Wheatley said. "This class includes state champions, state medalists and athletes who have consistently competed at a high level in their respective states. More importantly, they've demonstrated the work ethic, competitiveness and character that fit the culture we have built."
The signings include nine true freshmen and represent three different states around the Midwest. They also include athletes for five of the six categories of events; five for distance events, two for throwing events, two for sprints, one for hurdles and one for multi-events.
Ball State Track & Field 2026-27 Signing Class
Emma Behrmann — Multi-Event, Nashville, Ill. / Nashville Community High School
Mikaylah Chandler — Sprints / Hurdles, Cincinnati, Ohio / Lakota East High School
Ava Dickenson — Distance, Cincinnati, Ohio / Lakota East High School
Jayla Gathing — Throws, Edwardsville, Ill. / Edwardsville High School
Elaina Lahmers — Distance, Marysville, Ohio / University of Kentucky
Madalyn Marx — Sprints, Mahomet, Ill. / Mahomet-Seymour High School
Abra Mills — Distance, Oxford, Ohio / Talawanda High School
Gemma Pusateri — Distance, Hilliard, Ohio / Hilliard Davidson High School
Carla Rodriguez — Distance, Lafayette, Ind. / Harrison High School
Ellyse Walden — Throws, Russiaville, Ind. / Western High School
Wednesday, May 27
Tuesday, May 12
Thursday, April 30
Friday, April 10