The Ball State University track and field team is pleased with the start of its indoor season but is not yet satisfied as it enters its second indoor season competition at the Gladstein Invitational.
The meet will be held at Gladstein Fieldhouse in Bloomington today and Saturday. More than 1,200 athletes are expected to participate in the event.
"We are competing with teams not only from the [Mid-American Conference] but from the Big Ten and Big East," coach Randy Heisler said. "The level of competition will increase as the season progresses. We need to show up and perform to maximize our chances to qualify."
The Cardinals placed third out of the nine teams that competed in their previous meet at the BGSU Challenge in Bowling Green, Ohio. Ball State earned a score of 84.50, 72.50 points behind the University of Cincinnati, which came in first.
"We're pleased but not satisfied with the start of our indoor season," Heisler said. "At the invitational we are looking to reach our individual potential. We have some younger girls and have overcome injuries and redshirts but let it be known, she's back."
In referencing the injuries and redshirts, Heisler referred to losing Ali Bishel and Amber Williams for their 2008 season.
Bishel missed the 2008 cross-country season with an injury while Williams missed the 2008 track and field season because she was training for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
The Cardinals are focusing on individual events and are not as concerned with team points for the invitational, Heisler said.
"As a coach, you have to be careful," Heisler said. "You don't want to stretch your kids. If you run them in numerous races you can rack up lots of points, but we're focusing on reaching our best in one or two events. You don't put 80 percent or even 90 percent into an event. It's all out, everything you have to give."
Events will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 10 p.m. today. The competition will then resume at noon and conclude at 5 p.m. Saturday.
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