We Speak Track And Field
Ball State Track & Field Adds Five More Signings to Bring Its Incoming Class to 11
Ball State’s rebuild is being recruited in bulk. The Cardinals announced five more track & field signings, bringing head coach Adrian Wheatley’s 2026-27 incoming class to 11 athletes — 10 true freshmen drawn from three Midwest states and covering every event group.
The class spans the whole sport: Emma Behrmann (multi-events), Mikaylah Chandler (sprints/hurdles), Ava Dickenson (distance), Jayla Gathing (throws), Nevaeh Hall (sprints/jumps), Elaina Lahmers (distance, via Kentucky), Madalyn Marx (sprints), Abra Mills (distance), Gemma Pusateri (distance), Carla Rodriguez (distance) and Ellyse Walden (throws).
Wheatley describes a class that “includes state champions, state medalists and athletes who have consistently competed at a high level.” Eleven new Cardinals, every event group covered — Ball State is stocking the whole roster at once.
We Speak Track And Field
Yehualaw Returns in Valencia as Kwizera Chases Spanish History
Yalemzerf Yehualaw returns from maternity leave in Valencia on Oct. 25, Rodrigue Kwizera chases a first Spanish win, and Kenenisa Bekele is also on the start list.
The Valencia Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 25 brings together a returning superstar, a man chasing national history, and one of the greatest distance runners of all time.
Yalemzerf Yehualaw headlines the women’s race in her return from maternity leave. The Ethiopian last raced at the Boston Marathon in April 2025, finishing third in 2:18:06, and her half marathon personal best of 1:03:51 — run on this course in 2021 — makes her the fastest woman in the field. She faces Lisbon champion Tsigie Gebreselama, world road running silver medallist Veronica Loleo and Ftaw Zeray on a course famous for fast times.
The men’s race could produce a first. Rodrigue Kwizera owns the fastest personal best in the field at 58:16, set in Prague earlier this year, and after receiving Spanish citizenship in 2026 he is chasing both the first Spanish men’s victory in Valencia and the Spanish record of 59:39. His training partner Thierry Ndikumwenayo, Andrea Kiptoo, Owen Kapkama, Daniel Ebenyo and 2018 winner Jemal Yimer are all in the field — along with Kenenisa Bekele, the three-time Olympic champion whose appearance alone will draw a crowd.
Britain’s Ben Connor, Charlie Wheeler and Samantha Harrison also feature. The course records — Yomif Kejelcha’s 57:30 and Letesenbet Gidey’s 1:02:52 — were both world records when set, which tells you everything about Valencia’s speed.
Photo: Canadian Running
-
We Speak Jazz2 days agoToronto Jazz Singer Ori Dagan Announces First Live Album ‘Live in the Market’ for October 23 Release
-
We Speak Comedy3 days agoNate Bargatze Plays Rexburg Tomorrow, Then Settles Into Las Vegas on the Record-Breaking Big Dumb Eyes Tour
-
WE Speak MMA3 days agoUFC 334: Gane vs. Hokit, Harrison vs. Nunes Title Fights Set for November 14 at Madison Square Garden
-
We Speak Movies2 days agoAFI Fest 2026 Opens in Hollywood: Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ Kicks Off the Festival’s 40th Edition