After months of training, including running 75 miles per week during the summer, it is time for the meet which the Ball State University cross country team has trained.
The Cardinals will compete at the Mid-American Conference champions, which are hosted by Central Michigan University, at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Riverwood Resort in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Ball State expects to contend for the MAC championship, sophomore Ali Bishel said.
"We definitely have a really good chance at finishing in the top three," Bishel said. "We'd really like to come out as MAC champs."
Though the team is not the favorite at the championships, coach Randy Heisler said, it should compete with Ohio University, Miami University and the University of Akron for the title.
The team, which was picked to finish fifth in the preseason, has already shown that they can compete, he said.
"They're exceeding the level that we hoped for," Heisler said.
The Cardinals are ranked No. 10 in the Great Lakes Region by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
The team was not predicted to compete as well as they have because they are young, Heisler said. He also said it has been a transition for the athletes, because they have a new distance coach for the third consecutive year.
However, the Cardinals top-five runners are solid, Heisler said.
"Any race you're not sure who's going to be up there but that's a good thing," he said. "It shows the depth of our program."
Ball State's top runner this year has been Bishel. The sophomore has led Ball State at all four of the Cardinals' meets this year.
Bishel has been running "phenomenal" this year, Heisler said.
"Every week she's running against people who were beating her in high school," he said. "She's now beating them."
Bishel finished in the top 10 in three of the Cardinals' four meets, including a second-place finish at the Indiana Intercollegiates. Her best time this season was 17:44, which was also at the Indiana Intercollegiates.
"It's really exciting," Bishel said. "But I don't really think in terms of individually."
The Cardinals finished in the top five twice this season and one other event did not have team scoring. They finished 26th at the Pre-Nationals two weeks ago.
Heisler said the Pre-Nationals were an eye-opening experience for the team because it ran against the top teams in the nation.
Bishel said she expects this weekend to also be competitive but she is confident in the team's ability.
In addition to Bishel, the Cardinals have also had sophomores Kelsey Nielsen, Sarah Kehe, Brittany Ade, Lisa Arrowsmith and junior Vanessa Gilbert finish in their top five this season.
"Each competition they seem to get a little more confident," Heisler said.
The Cardinals are prepared and ready for the meet, Bishel said. She said they are at a strong point in their season.
"This program has really been on the upswing this year," Bishel said.
Ball State has trained for the meets at the end of the year, the MAC championships and regionals, Bishel said.
While the team might win this weekend, Heisler said, he expects the Cardinals to do some damage at the top of the standings.
"We're one year away," he said. "You can see the growth every time they run."
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
