It will take its best race of the year, but head coach Sue Parks said the women's cross country team has a reasonable chance of advancing from Saturday's Great Lakes Regional to the NCAA Championships on Nov. 25.
In addition, seniors Stacey Ritz and Katie Nowak will be looking to make a second trip individually to nationals. Nowak placed 44th in 2000, and Ritz took 17th last year.
"I think we're going to need a great day," Parks said. "We have no room for error, but if everyone runs what they're capable of, we have a shot to move on. The way I look at it, any shot is better than no shot."
Ball State will definitely have a shot after finishing sixth (with 183 points) last year and returning its entire group of runners. Included are Ritz (fourth individually) and Nowak (ninth). The rest of the top five include junior Crystal Meeks and sophomores Sarah Huddleston and Jill Scully.
Although there are 13 at-large bids given out nationally, Parks said the team needs to think like it can get one of the top two spots, thus qualifying automatically.
"That's the only way you can think in a meet like this," she said. "We know how hard it's going to be, but hopefully we can get in the mix and have a shot at an at-large. Our region will get a number of at-largest, maybe five.
"We were sixth last year, and we need to that high or better. If everyone runs well, it's realistic to place that high."
Individually, Parks said a lot of who qualifies (top four from non-qualifying teams) will depend on what teams move on.
"Last year Stacey made it and Katie missed by one," she said. "I think with all the teams that have a chance, those places will go lower. Being in the top 15 should give you a shot. I think Stacey and Katie certainly have a chance, and maybe Crystal Meeks."
The Cardinals are coming off a third consecutive runner-up finish at the MAC Championships two weeks ago. Parks had said while that race was her team's best of the year, it was capable of even more.
"Absolutely," Parks said when asked if her team was ready to have its best. "We're training great, we're definitely the best we've been all season long, and we're better than last year.
"With how tough the region is, we could be anywhere from second to tenth. If five runners have a good day. We have as good a chance as anyone."
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