Ball State University Athletics
Cross Country Opens 2008 Season Friday
September 04, 2008 | Cross Country
With seven letterwinners returning from the 2007 campaign, second year Ball State cross country head coach Randy Heisler looks to build upon the team's fifth-place finish at the 2007 Mid-American Conference Championships.
“Overall, the MAC is a highly competitive conference,” said Heisler. “On any given day, there are a number of teams capable of winning the championship. While we are lacking in depth, I believe our athletes have the potential to compete at a high level within the conference.”
The hardest hit to the team's depth came when junior Ali Bishel, who placed second in the MAC Championships last year, was forced to use a medical redshirt for the cross country season due to a stress fracture she suffered at the end of the 2008 indoor track season.
Despite the loss, Heisler remains optimistic and is looking forward to seeing who steps up as the team's front-runner.
“Without Ali in the lineup, it gives a number of our student-athletes the opportunity to be the number one runner.”
With no clear number one runner, Heisler hopes it adds a competitive spark within the team.
“I want it to be a healthy competition every time we get on the line. By not knowing who our top runner is, the competition for the spot will make our team better.”
Among the returnees for the Cardinals include senior Vanessa Gilbert and junior Kelsey Nielsen, both of which placed in the top 30 in the MAC Championships last season. Gilbert placed 22nd overall with a time of 18:30, and Nielsen finished 30th overall with a mark of 18:36.6.
Also returning are juniors Brittany Ade, Lisa Arrowsmith and Sarah Kehe, as well as sophomores Erin Filak and Amanda Hon.
Kehe recorded four top-ten finishes during her freshman year, and despite suffering a sprained ankle during the off-season, she will be looked upon as one of the team's leaders during her junior year.
“I would love to see Sarah come back and re-establish herself up there as a front-runner.”
The Cardinals open the 2008 season Friday (Sept. 5) in West Lafayette, Ind., for the Great American Legends race. Although it is a non-scored event, the Cardinals will gain valuable experience on the same course which will host the NCAA Regionals on Nov. 15.
Heisler tabbed the Notre Dame Invitational on Oct. 3 as the biggest competition of the year. The Cardinals will compete against a majority of the MAC schools and several Big Ten programs in the event.
What the Cardinals lack in depth, they will make up with experience and competitiveness.
“Every time you have the opportunity to compete, it is an opportunity you are never going to get again,” said Heisler. “We want to take advantage of every opportunity to compete, while growing as a team and improving every time we are on the course.”
