Track Stars App Recap: Ball State

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Ball State junior MaQuila Norman rose to the occasion when she competed at this year's Mid-American Indoor Track and Field Championships. The junior won her first two open races of the season when she competed in the 200-meter prelim and final rounds, Feb. 29, in Akron, Ohio.

Norman recored her finals win in a time of 23.87 which is the best finish of her career. She beat out 400-meter dash champ Olivia Bechtel of Miami, who clocked in at 23.96.

Previous to the MAC championship meet, Norman hadn't won an open race since March 16, 2019 when she took wins in the 200- and 400-meter dashes at the Stan Lyons meet, hosted by Butler in Indianapolis.

Norman's win was Ball State's only first place finish at the MAC championships but other Cardinals did have strong moments this season. Senior sprinter Bryeana Byrdsong recorded the MAC's fastest 60-meter dash time of the season at 7.45 in the prelim round of the conference championship.

During the season she had 60-meter dash wins at the Gladstein Invitational in Bloomington, Ind. as well as the Ball State Tune-Up meet. She was a favorite to win the MAC championship but finished fourth in the final round at 7.59, as freshman Alyson Davis of Eastern Michigan won the event (7.50). Byrdsong was the 2019 100-meter dash champ at the MAC outdoor championship meet.

Senior sprinter Amber Jones scored points at the conference championship meet as she placed fourth and sixth respectively in the 400- and 200-meter dashes.

Another senior Maritza Rodriguez had the best showing of her career at the MAC championships as she placed second in both the 3,000 and 5,000 meter runs. Last year she placed sixth and 13th respectively in both events.

Senior Kelsey Walters also had her best performance at the conference meet, finishng as runner-up in the shot put competition with a throw of 15.33. Last year she finshed eighth at the championship meet.

As for the future Norman should be a threat to dominate in the 200-meter dash and may be able to sneak out a 400-meter dash conference championship as well. She's also an important participant to Ball State's 1,600-meter relay success. Another 400-meter runner that should rise in the ranks for Ball State is junior Dejah Johnson. Johnson also contributed the the school's fourth place finish in the 1,600-meter relay at the MAC championship, along with Norman. In 2019 they both helped the Cardinals to a third place finish during the outdoor championships.

Junior Anasja Troutman will be in the mix for the hurdles championship during the 2020-21 season. At this year's conference championship meet she placed fourth in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.62, which was a personal best for her. She made great strides from the 2019 meet where she failed to qualify for the finals with a time of 8.80. Troutman had a photo finish, second place result at the Gladstein Invitational, where she was edged out by Indiana's De'Aira Robertson.

Michelle Lehmann showed signs of things to come when she posted a career best time of 7.56 at the 60-meter prelim of the MAC championship. After registering the third best prelim finish, she qualified to her first 60-meter final race at the conference championship, where she placed eighth at 7.64. Lehmann is also an athlete to watch in long jump competiton as well.

Ball State's depth allowed it to improve to a third place team finish at the MAC championship meet opposed to 2019's eighth place result.