Ball State women's track wins first MAC outdoor championship since 2001

MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State women's track and field on Saturday won the 2023 Mid-American Conference outdoor track and field championship at the Lee R. Jackson Track & Field Complex.

The victory marked the fifth title in program history and the first since the 2001. Ball State also won in 1996, 1998, and 2000.

Individual Cardinals were also honored. Jenelle Rogers was named MAC Most Valuable Performer, Alana Springer won MAC Freshman Track Performer of the Year and head coach Adrian Wheatley earned MAC Coach of the Year.

"I am really proud of our young ladies," Wheatley told Ball State Athletics. "We talk all year long that it's a dress rehearsal for the big show, and this weekend was the big show. I am proud of each and every member of this team. They've committed to each other and it's more enjoyable when you ride the bus when you have success as a team, versus an individual. I am really proud of our young ladies, and this is a starting stone for us to continue to have success as we continue to move forward in the future."

The highlight of BSU's performance came from Moriah Johnson, Springer, Lindley Steele and Jenna Oriani, the 4x100m relay team that ran a track and MAC Championship record time of 44.93 seconds.

It was the sixth time ever that Ball State won the 4x100m relay and its first since 2000. The time was also just shy of the program record of 44.85 set in 2021.

Other top contributors to BSU's 108 total points, three more than second-place Eastern Michigan, were Charity Griffith (first place high jump, second place heptathlon, third place 100m hurdles), Rogers (first place heptathlon) and Springer (third place 100m and 200m).

Final team standings

1. Ball State - 108 points

2. Eastern Michigan - 105

3. Miami - 96.50

4. Bowling Green - 91

5. Northern Illinois - 76

6. Akron - 74.50

7. Kent State - 67

8. Buffalo - 62

9. Central Michigan - 57

10. Toledo - 46

11. Ohio - 28

12. Western Michigan - 7

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Ball State women's track and field wins MAC outdoor championship