Simply piecing together a five-person lineup to run a meet was challenging enough for coach Randy Heisler last year.
Take nagging injuries and limited options into account and it was a difficult season for Ball State University.
As far as the team is concerned, the 2009 campaign is a whole different ball game. With an influx of freshmen and the return of junior Ali Bishel from injury, the depth of the cross country team is now a strength.
"We had injuries in the past that killed us in some races, but it's a lot different this year," senior Sarah Kehe said. "Now, we have a full squad for races and still can't run everybody."
With four current and one redshirt freshman, the team has been able to incorporate young talent early into the matches to make an impact. Allison Blanck, Andrea Korzan, MaryKate Mellen, Christine Talhelm and Emilee Zets have appeared in all three meets for the Cardinals this season.
"Last year we only had about five girls with no depth on the team," Heisler said. "We now have eight or nine girls who can run for us and it is very good for the program."
This newly acquired depth was apparent in last Saturday's Ohio Invitational. Bishel and senior Lisa Arrowsmith were both unable to make the trip.
"With all of our young talent, we were able to be careful with Lisa's injury and give her the week off," Heisler said.
The return of Bishel makes the team not only deeper, but also better. Bishel has been the top finisher in both of the meets she has attended this year. An academic commitment kept her out of the meet Saturday.
Heisler said Bishel's impact stretches farther than her personal records.
"The team feeds off Ali and ups their game during meets and training," Heisler said. "With Ali not running, it changes things."
The runners all expressed an increased confidence level. With the increased depth of the team, Kehe says she feels confidence in herself and teammates.
"Cross country is all about pack running in races to motivate each other to do well," Kehe said. "It involves individual efforts contributing to the score, so you have to trust your teammates."
With all the new faces joining the Cardinals this season, team chemistry would be up to the older players adapting to the entire freshman class.
"I like all the freshman a lot and it's nice to switch it up and develop team chemistry," Kehe said. "Since the team is twice the size this year, there are always people outside the original groups to talk to."
Heisler knows he has runners to work with this year, but wants to be careful with his youth.
"I like to get the younger girls experience when we can in the meets leading up to the MAC," Heisler said. "But I'm being careful not to push too much early or we will fall apart down the stretch."
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