For the Ball State University women's indoor track and field team, it's crunch time.
The Cardinals are now more than a month into their schedule and just a few steps from the more weighted meets. This week the indoor track and field team travels to Ames, Iowa, for the 16th annual Iowa State Classic. This gives the team just one more opportunity to improve themselves before the MAC indoor championships that take place March 10-11.
Following the culmination of several weeks of impressive races and results, sophomore Amber Williams was named Mid-American Conference Co-Track Athlete of the Week. Her runs at last week's Meyo Invitational won her the honor as she won the 60-meter hurdles as well as running a school-record time (8.26) and hitting the NCAA provisional qualifying mark. She also placed sixth in the 200 (24.38) in a new personal best.
Focus this week has transitioned to the Cyclone-hosted classic and goals remain the same for all squad members. Many of the athletes have yet to be really challenged this year by the competition that has been thrown at them, but this week is set up to be different. Team members hope the tough competition will push them to their goals, and aspirations for better marks are apparent from all.
"I really just want to run a faster time," freshman Jeanne Roberts said. "This meet will help me to do it because of the faster competition."
As the indoor season gets closer and closer to the end, the team has begun to show signs of wear and some members have even manifested injuries. Last week, previous to the Meyo Invitational, many stayed home while nursing injuries, in hope they'll heal before it is time to start competing outside. However, those that are still competing are pushing hard toward the end and coaches believe that with continued hard training results will be satisfying.
"Every week competition gets tougher," head coach Sue Parks said. "Now, we are just looking forward to people that we can really run with."
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