One day before the start of the outdoor season, the Ball State University track and field team has already found itself in a battle against the elements.
Despite a snow-covered track and a frigid forecast on the way, the University of Toledo is still scheduled to play host to the Rocket Team Challenge on Saturday. The decision to hold the meet, which was not announced until Thursday afternoon, was made in hopes that the forecasted 41-degree weather will melt the remaining snow.
Ball State head coach Randy Heisler said the team is approaching the meet with caution.
"When you're going outside and running, jumping, and throwing in freezing weather, you've got to be careful," Heisler said.
The Cardinals will compete in the scored event against about 10 teams, Heisler said, a majority of which are Mid-American Conference schools. He said that while he considers the meet a "competitive workout," his team's goals are still to perform well and gain experience.
The Rocket Team Challenge comes a month after the Cardinals' last team competition, the Indoor MAC Championship. The team did not practice during Spring Break, Heisler said.
"It's really the only break they get," Heisler said of Spring Break. "It gives them a chance to rest, maybe not physically as much as mentally."
Senior Amanda Barnhart said the break helps the athletes adjust from indoor season to outdoor season. Although Barnhart prefers the outdoor season, she said it might be more difficult.
"It's different in long jump dealing with the wind," Barnhart said of competing outdoors. "There are different factors to think about, and it makes you a more well-rounded athlete to adjust to the changes."
Among the changes brought on by the outdoor season are a variety of new events. These include the steeple chase, discus throw, hammer throw, javelin throw and the event Heisler called the most demanding, the 400-meter hurdles. Both Heisler and Barnhart, however, cited weather as the biggest change.
Barnhart enters Saturday's meet as one of three Cardinals named to the Academic All-MAC team this week, along with senior Cara Collins and sophomore Ali Bishel. Barnhart said she is grateful for the distinction.
"It's always a great honor to receive something like that," Barnhart said. "It definitely motivates me and gives me an appreciation that I am able to do well academically as well as athletically."
Heisler said he is aware of how well his entire team performs in the classroom.
"We've got a lot of smart girls on our team, which makes practices hard for me at times," Heisler said with a laugh.
Outdoor eventsThe following events are added for the outdoor season.
- Steeple chase
- Discus throw
- Hammer throw
- Javelin throw
- Heisler
- 400-meter hurdles
ScheduleMarch 29: Rocket Team Challenge at Toledo
April 5: Mike Poelein Invitational at West Lafeyette
April 11-12: Miami Invitational at Oxford, Ohio
April 19: Dave Rankin Invitational at Wesst Lafayette
April 26: Stans Lyons Invitational at Bloomington
May 3: Butler Open at Indianapolis
May 9; Billy Hayes Invitational at Bloomington
May 15-17: MAC Championship at Bowling Green
June 12-14: NCAA Championships
June 27-July 6: Olympic Trials
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
