Ball State University Athletics
Six to Join Women's Track and Field in 2006-07
April 18, 2006 | Track & Field
"One of our main focuses of the recruiting year was the distance area and I couldn't be more pleased with the athletes that we signed," said BSU head coach Sue Parks. "I feel that this is a group that can help us get back to challenging for a MAC title in cross country as well as providing much needed depth in the distances in track. In addition to the distance athletes, Katie Johnson will be a great addition to our already powerful hurdle group.
Anytime you can sign state champions and state runner-ups, you know that you have athletes who are used to performing at a very high level. Sarah is the top in-state cross country recruit that we have ever signed at Ball State (Jill Scully was 4th in the 2000 Indiana state meet). Her and the other five recruits are proven winners and I believe that they have the potential to do some great things for our program."
Ade will be joining the squad after placing second at the 2005 Indiana High School Athletic Association State Track and Field Championship in the 800-meter run (2:14.9). During her inaugural cross country season, Ade finished 37th in the 2005 state championship meet with a time of 14:53.6.
Arrowsmith comes to Ball State after becoming a state champion as a member of the distance medley relay team at the 2006 Indoor State Championships. That same year, she added a sixth-place finish at the regional cross country championships finishing the 5,000 meter course in 18:45.2. Arrowsmith owns a top time of 2:18 in the 800 which she garnered during the 2006 indoor season. In 2005, she helped the 3,200 relay team to a third place finish at the state meet.
Bishel joins the team after helping the 3,200 relay team to state championships in 2003 and 2004 and a runner-up finish in 2005. At the 2005 IHSAA State Cross Country Championships Bishel finished 36th just in front of future BSU teammate Ade with a time of 14:52.7.
Johnson joins the 2006-07 squad after posting a second-place finish at the 2005 IHSAA State Championships in the 100 hurdles. She finished just ahead of current BSU Cardinal Lanae Stovall. Johnson also placed eighth in the 300 hurdles at the event.
Kehe comes to BSU after assisting the Chesterton 3,200 relay team to state championships in 2003 and 2004 and a runner-up finish in 2005. During the 2005 season, Kehe finished second at the state championship cross country meet, fifth at the mid-east all-star cross country championship and third in the outdoor track state championship meet in the mile (5:02). Kehe is a current teammate of future Cardinal Bishel and will compete in cross country, outdoor track and as a member of the Ball State swimming and diving team.
Nielsen becomes a Cardinal after finishing first in all but two regular season races during the 2005 cross country campaign. She currently holds the 11th-fastest time in the 38-year history of the prestigious New Prairie Cross Country Invitational with a clocking of 14:49 on the 4,000 course. At the 2005 cross country state championship meet, Nielsen placed 14th with a time of 14:24.8.
