Beating out Buffalo by one point, the Ball State men's track team finished sixth at the Mid-American Conference Championships this past weekend.
The Cardinals combined for 33 points, scoring those in 7 of the 17 total events. Host Eastern Michigan won the eight team event with 186 points, followed by Central Michigan, Kent State, Western Michigan and Akron.
Senior Paul Panning scored almost 25 percent of the team's total points with his second place finish in the pole vault. Panning had a mark of 17-02 34 feet, which ended a three meet streak in which he has won the pole vault.
Ranked fifth in the high jump heading into the meet, junior Ben Daniel placed seventh in the event, but sophomore Jason Bowling made up for his placing.
Bowling tied his personal record with a 6-06 14 mark, good enough for a fifth place finish.
"I think it was one of the better meets I've been a part of personally," Bowling said. "I put my heart into it and that's all I can ask for out of myself"
The Cardinals scored no points in the mile run, 3000-meter run or 5000-meter run, struggling against EMU and CMU, who both are strong in the distance events. The two schools combined for the top four finishers in the 5000, 3000 and mile.
BSU was able to score some points in the distance medley relay, however, finishing sixth in the event with a 10:22.77, their best time of the season.
In the 4x400 meter relay, the team took fourth place at 3:20.31, also a season-best time. The relay consisted of freshmen Kurt Kinkead, Mike Laninga and Geoff King and sophomore Andrew Brown.
Brown finished ninth in the 400-meter dash, one place out of scoring position. His time of 50.40 was .43 seconds behind the eighth place finisher.
Freshman Corey Miller scored the team's only points in the sprints with his fifth place finish in the 60-meter hurdles. He had a time of 8.25 to give Ball State four points.
With a season best throw of 53-11 14 in the shot put, sophomore Jeremy Gillingham finished fourth in the event.
The Cardinals conclude their indoor regular season this Friday and Saturday at the Alex Wilson Invitational, hosted by Notre Dame.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
