TF2K22: Zumbro Golden in Hep

For the second straight season Karlie Zumbro of Ball State is the heptathlon champion of the Mid-American Conference. On May 13, she scored 5,403 points, finishing ahead of runner-up Olivia Hankey of Central Michigan (5,138) and Akron's Sara Foster (5,066) who placed third in a field of 11 competitors.

After coming off the podium, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on the campus of Western Michigan University, Zumbro, donned her gold medal while talking to us about her future and her teammate Charity Griffith.

Winners Only: How are you doing today?

Karlie Zumbro: I'm good.

Feeling good about your win?

Yeah.

This is back-to-back for you right?

Yes.

What's the difference between this year's win and last year's win?

It all feels the same. I'm just super blessed and so happy to go out there and represent Ball State.

This is your last one right?

It is.

So what's the next move for you?

The next move for me is to stay at Ball State and I will be going into the sport and exercise psychology program. I'm super-excited to give my all in that program which is why I won't be taking my fifth year for track but I will definitely be there to support my [teammates].

When you first got here did you plan on winning back-to-back championships?

No. I would've been super happy to just be on the podium my freshman year. To be able to make it to the top was an added bonus and honestly I owe it to my coaches and everybody that believed in me to make it to this point.

What does it mean to be a part of this program.

It's so great to be a part of this program. I'm missing my teammate, Charity Griffith (this year's Mid-American pentathlon champion during indoor season). She'll be competing in the high jump and I'm super excited to watch her. Being a part of the program is being able to come out and compete with some of my best friends.

Charity was some stiff competition during indoor season.

She is, but an awesome training partner. We push each other in all the right ways.

Last question will be about Charity. She was an All-American during indoor season right?

Yes.

What do you see in her future?

I see that girl going pro. I'm so proud of her. I'm so proud of all of the gain that she's making and you would not going to miss what she's going to do in the future.

Thanks so much!

Griffith sweeps MAC high jump titles

Ball State's Charity Griffith won the high jump and pentathlon during the indoor season. At the outdoor championship meet, May 14, she skipped the multi-event but went on to claim her the high jump gold with a mark of 1.76 meters. Buffalo's Zaria Fuller was second as she also cleared 1.76. Griffith edged Fuller out by being perfect from her opening height of 1.60 through the mark of 1.76. Fuller took three attempts to clear 1.70 before clearing 1.73 and 1.76 on her first attempts.

Eastern Michigan's Quintella Johnson was third at 1.70 meters. A senior, Johnson is a decorated performer as she was the outdoor Mid-American Conference champ in 2021 and the indoor champ in 2020 and 2021. Prior to transferring to Eastern Michigan she won both the indoor and outdoor 2019 high jump titles in the SWAC while competing for Texas Southern.

Akron's Pokuaah takes two golds in jumps

Jacqueline Pokuaah dominated the 2021 MAC indoor meet with wins in the long jump, triple jump and 60-meter hurdles. Since then the Akron star has battled injuries and hasn't won gold until May 13 and 14. Pokuaah won the gold in the triple jump and long jump and also took home a silver medal in the 400-meter relay.

Pokuaah won the long jump on May 13, beating out Northern Illinois' Jazmyn Smith as both landed at a mark of 6.15. Pokuaah to the gold by having the higher second best jump with a mark of 6.04, compared to Smith's 6.02. Smith's teammate Kenyae Majors was third at 5.95.

The following day in the triple jump Pokuaah's mark of 12.97, finished ahead of her teammate Fegor Clifford who placed second at 12.90. Clifford had a strong meet by winning the 400-meter hurdles and taking a silver medal in the 400-meter relay along with Pokuaah. Another Northern Illinois jumper Katrina Small took the bronze in the triple jump at 12.72.