The Ball State University track and field team's personal record books are heavy with ink from this weekend's competition, when the Cardinals broke numerous individual season records.
The Cardinals also jotted down five top 10 finishes from the 22nd annual Meyo Invitational. The meet at the University of Notre Dame commenced Friday afternoon and closed Saturday evening.
"Our sprinters and hurdlers showed-up," coach Randy Heisler said. "We are really happy with what we accomplished this weekend."
Three out of five of the top finishes were collected by fifth-year senior Amber Williams. Williams grabbed a personal best with 7.54 in the 60-meter dash and took fourth place. Also participating in the dash was teammate Janae Taylor, who snatched 11th for Ball State with a season-best time of 7.75.
Two personal bests were a result of the 200-meter dash. Williams glided in with another top finish when she ran a 24.56, earning eighth place for Ball State. Taylor crossed the white line with 25.17 and finished 17th.
In the 60-meter hurdles, Williams provided a third top-10 finish with 8.50 and claimed sixth place. Sophomore Ra'Jae Marable followed shortly behind when she grasped a season-best time for eighth place with a time of 8.68.
"This meet helped us see some where we stood amongst good competition," Heisler said. "There are some decisions that need to be made with the conference approaching."
Junior Ali Bishel accomplished a fourth-place mark in the 5,000 meter run with a 17:22.47. Junior Brittany Aide also clocked in a time of 57.81 when she finished in 24th place in the 400-meter dash.
The 300-meter dash was represented by junior Jenna Schmitmeyer's and freshman Kelsey Stephens' times of 41.36 and 42.41, respectively, to conclude the race with 19th and 34th finishes. Sophomore Erin Filak also captured a 23rd place finish in the 500-meter dash with a 1:18.76.
"You could tell the ladies were a little disappointed with their distant times," Heisler said. "But it's better now than in the [first] three weeks."
In field events, the Cardinals achieved 18th place in the pole vault competition when senior Lauran McNichols vaulted a 11-5 -+. McNichols also managed to tie an individual best in the high jump reaching a 5-3 and tallying a 21st place finish.
Sophomore Thekla Lorenz, with fellow sophomore Lindsay Bangert, jumped season bests at the Meyo Invitational. For the long jump, Lorenz recorded a leap of 18-2 -+ to take 13th place, and Bangert secured 14th place with 18-2 -+.
"The next two weeks will be for tuning-up for our home meet," Heisler said. "We need to take what we gained and apply it into preparing for our next competition."
The Cardinals next match will be their first home meet of the indoor season in the Ball State Quadrangular on Feb. 20.
"There's a balance we need to maintain," Heisler said. "Not all of the team got to come with us this weekend because they're hurt. The girls need to train harder but give time to heal their injuries so we can compete 100 percent again."
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