T&F Continues Indoor Season at Hawkeye Invitational

Jenelle Rogers | Ball State University Athletics

By Press release submission

Jan 17, 2023

After a strong start to the 2022-23 season at the Tom Wright Open on Dec. 10, the Cardinals look to maintain their momentum heading into their second meet. Ball State is set to compete at the Hawkeye Invitational on Saturday.

The Hawkeye Invitational kicks off with the high jump at 12:00 p.m. EST. The last event of the day, the 4x400m relay, is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Ball State has student-athletes entered in 13 of the 14 events taking place Saturday.

BALL STATE ENTRIES IN THE HAWKEYE INVITATIONAL

High Jump (12:00 p.m.): Charity Griffith, Jenelle Rogers

Shot Put (12:00 p.m.): Malena Higgins

60m Hurdles (2:12 p.m.): Lea-Marie Diedicke, Charity Griffith, Makensie Kramer, Mary Porter, Jenelle Rogers, Jennah Rogers

400m Dash (2:45 p.m.): Abigail Adams, Kayla Jones, Emma Potter, Allison Valladay

Long Jump (3:00 p.m.): Lea-Marie Diedicke, Brenna Lehrke, Lindley Steele

60m (3:20 p.m.): Moriah Johnson, Jenna Oriani, Alana Springer, Alexis Thigpen

600m (3:50 p.m.): Leila Williams-Molitor

Mile (4:45 p.m.): Shelby Christman, Grace Dean, Sarah Greer, Sarah Mahnensmith, Carly Spletzer, Vivian Van Eck

Triple Jump (5:00 p.m.): Brenna Lehrke

800m Run (5:25 p.m.): Shelby Christman, Carly Spletzer

200m (6:05 p.m.): Lea-Marie Diedicke, Charity Griffith, Taylor Hickman, Moriah Johnson, Kayla Jones, Jenna Oriani, Emma Potter, Jennah Rogers, Alana Springer, Lindley Steele, Alexis Thigpen, Allison Valladay

3,000m Run (6:40 p.m.): Jocilyn Stackis, Jessica Velez

4x400 Relay (7:15 p.m.): 'A' – Taylor Hickman, Jennah Rogers, Emma Potter, Carly Spletzer

'B' - Leila Williams-Molitor, Sarah Greer, Abigail Adams, Grace Dean

The Cardinals are looking to build off a successful meet at the Tom Wright Open where five Cardinals won events. Kayla Jones' winning time of 2:11.00 in the 800m put her at the top of the MAC rankings and fifth in the NCAA rankings.

Entering the Hawkeye Invitational, 18 Cardinals are in the Top 16 in the MAC rankings, and six of those student-athletes are also in the Top 100 on the NCAA Division I performance list.

CARDINALS IN THE MAC RANKINGS

Here's a look at the 18 Cardinals ranked in the Top 16 on the MAC performance list heading into the second meet of the season. Leading the way are Kayla Jones who is first in the 800m (2:11.00) and Jenna Oriani who leads the MAC in the 60m (7.58).

60m: 1. Jenna Oriani (7.58), 2. Alana Springer (7.62), 7. Moriah Johnson (7.72)

200m: 3. Alana Springer (24.80), 6. Emma Potter (25.48), 7. Lindley Steele (25.78), 9. Allison Valladay (25.93), 12. Taylor Hickman (26.63), 14. Leila Williams-Molitor (27.48)

400m: 14. Maci Easton (1:13.00)

800m: 1. Kayla Jones (2:11.00)

Mile: 16. Abigail Adams (5:51.40)

60 Hurdles: 5. Jennah Rogers (8.75), 9. Charity Griffith (8.96), 10. Jenelle Rogers (8.97), 13. Makensie Kramer (9.08)

4x400 Relay: 5. Ball State (4:03.78)

Long Jump: 3. Charity Griffith (5.71m / 18'-9.0"), 4. Jenelle Rogers (5.69m / 18'-8.0")

Triple Jump: 8. Brenna Lehrke (11.20m / 36'-9")

Shot Put: 10. Malena Higgins (12.53m / 41'-1.5")

CARDINALS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS

The Cardinals also have six student-athletes ranked in the Top 100 on the NCAA Division I performance list. Kayla Jones currently sits at an impressive fifth in the NCAA rankings for the 800m (2:11.00).

60m: 51. Jenna Oriani (7.58), 73. Alana Springer (7.62)

200m: 31. Alana Springer (24.80)

800m: 5. Kayla Jones (2:11.00)

60m Hurdles: 94. Jennah Rogers (8.75)

Long Jump: 57. Charity Griffith (5.71m / 18'-9.0"), 67. Jenelle Rogers (5.69m / 18'-8")

EVENT WINNERS:

Ball State's student-athletes won five events at their first meet of the 2022-23 season.

Tom Wright Open

60m: Jenna Oriani (7.58)

200m: Alana Springer (25.18)

60m Hurdles: Jennah Rogers (8.78)

Long Jump: Charity Griffith (5.71m)