Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
MAC Championships
Cross Country Places 11th At MAC Championships
October 31, 2008 | Cross Country
YPSILANTI, Mich. - - Despite season-fast times from four of its top five runners, the Ball State cross country team placed 11th of 12 teams at Saturday's 2008 Mid-American Conference Championships hosted by Eastern Michigan at the Eagle Crest Golf Course.
In the 5K run, senior Vanessa Gilbert once again paced the Cardinals, clocking in with a time of 18:02.5 to place 23rd overall in the field of 101 runners. Sarah Kehe was BSU's second-fastest runner of the day, posting a time of 18:18.4 to place 36th among runners scored in the meet.
Despite a 1-2 finish from Ohio's Annie Beecham (16:56.8) and Kari Summers (17:02.9), it was the Miami RedHawks who took home the top team spot with its five scores all placing in the top 13 to combine for a score of 39. Akron (81) was second, followed by Ohio (107), Central Michigan (141) and Bowling Green (147) to round out the top five teams.
Toledo (165) finished sixth, while Buffalo (177), Kent State (184), Western Michigan (218), Eastern Michigan (238), Ball State (251) and Northern Illinois (355) rounded out the field.
Brittany Ade was BSU's third-fastest runner with a time of 18:41.5 to score in the 57th position. Lisa Arrowsmith (18:41.5; 64th) and Kelsey Nielsen (19:07.3; 71st) rounded out Ball State's scorers. Erin Filak also ran for the Cardinals, clocking a time of 20:52.9.
MEET PREVIEW
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State cross country team returns to action Saturday, when it heads to Ypsilanti, Mich., for the 2008 Mid-American Conference Championships hosted by Eastern Michigan. The 5K women's event, which is slated for a noon start, will be run at the Eagle Crest Golf Course.
The Cardinals enter the event with a limited roster after injuries and illness have left the team with just four competitors over the last month.
Senior Vanessa Gilbert enters the meet as the team's top performer, leading BSU to the finish line in all four meets to date this season. Gilbert, who placed 22nd at last season's MAC Championships hosted by Central Michigan, enters the meet looking for a top-10 finish after posting a season-fast 5K run of 18.31 at the Notre Dame Invitational (Oct. 3).
Lisa Arrowsmith has finished second for the Cardinals in all three 5K events, while Sarah Kehe ran second for the BSU at the 6K Pre Nationals race (Oct. 18) after ranking third on the team in the previous two 5K events.
Brittany Ade rounds out BSU's runners who have competed in the last two meets, while Kelsey Nielson looks to return to the lineup this weekend after battling illness.
Last season, the Cardinals placed fifth at the MAC Cross Country Championships, with Ali Bishel bringing home second overall. Bishel was forced to redshirt this cross country season due to an injury suffered during the 2007-08 outdoor track & field season.
