Track Team Opens 2026 Outdoor Season in Fort Worth, Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Ball State track & field team opens its 2026 outdoor season at the TCU Alumni Invite this weekend, competing Friday and Saturday at the Lowden Track and Field Complex.

The Cardinals will travel a full squad with 18 student-athletes to compete with teams from the Big 12, SEC, ACC, MAC, the American Conference, the SWAC, and a host of Division II, Division III, NAIA, junior colleges and even professional athletes.

The meet in Fort Worth marks the first of seven consecutive weekends of outdoor competition, prior to Ball State hosting the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships, May 14-16. As part of that string, the Cardinals also host their annual We Fly Challenge, April 10-11.

“I’m excited for us to begin our outdoor season at TCU, especially as we step into events like the 4×100 relay and the 400 hurdles,” said Ball State coach Adrian Wheatley. “This meet also give us the opportunity to compete in the javelin, hammer and discus. We’re ready to test ourselves, trust our preparation and set a tone for the season ahead. We’re ready to fly!”

Ball State entries at the TCU Alumni Invite:

FRIDAY EVENTS

High Jump

Nina Garner

Bella Jackson

Malina Miller

Discus

Malena Higgins

Sydney Miller

Hammer Throw

Malena Higgins

Sydney Miller

SATURDAY EVENTS

Shot Put

Malena Higgins

Sydney Miller

Long Jump

Anisa Barnett

Kylee Marshall

Kenli Nettles

Javelin

Maci Easton

4x100m Relay

Laya’Lapri Ratney, Jiah Davenport, Lauren Graham, Paige Kirtz, Savannah Lake, Kylee Marshall, Alana Springer

100m Hurdles

Lauren Graham

Lia Patterson

Laya’Lapri Ratney

400m Dash

Abby Brennan

Paige Kirtz

100m Dash

Jiah Davenport

Savannah Lake

Alana Springer

400m Hurdles

Lauren Graham

Amina Hadziahmetovic

Kenli Nettles

Lia Patterson