Ball State University Athletics
Four Track & Field Members Await NCAA Field Announcement
May 18, 2010 | Track & Field
MUNCIE, Ind. - - After turning in solid performances at last weekend's 2010 Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, four members of the Ball State squad have a chance to qualify for the upcoming NCAA East Regional meet (May 27-29) and NCAA Championships (June 10-12).
"We are excited to have four student-athletes in consideration for further NCAA competition," said Ball State head coach Randy Heisler. "All four had a very good outdoor season and if they get into the NCAA's, I am sure they will represent Ball State with honor."
After winning her second career MAC title in the 100m hurdles with a season-fast time of 13.71, senior Katie Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Harrison H.S.) looks to qualify for the NCAA East Regionals for the third time in her career. Last season, Johnson placed 18th in the 100m hurdles (13.86) at the regional meet after finishing 21st (13.61) in the race as a sophomore in 2008. Her other MAC title in the event came in 2008, while she finished second in 2009.
After placing second at the league championships in the 10,000m run with a time of 36:13.11, senior Ali Bishel (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) looks to qualify for the NCAA regionals for the first time in her outdoor track & field career. Bishel is a two-time NCAA Championships qualifier in cross country, placing 52nd in 2007 and 67th this past season. She also qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 5,000m run during the 2008 indoor season, placing 16th at the meet with a time of 16:53.92.
Senior Jenna Schmitmeyer (Celina, Ohio/Celina H.S.) is also looking to qualify for the NCAA East Regionals for the first time in her career after posting a runner-up finish in the 400m hurdles at the MAC Championships. Schmitmeyer's time of 1:00.86 was a career-best effort and the fifth-fastest individual time in program history.
Redshirt sophomore Thekla Lorenz (Hamburg, Germany) has a shot to advance to the NCAA Championships for the first time in her career after placing second in the heptathlon at the MAC Championships. Her score of 5,125 was the second-best individual effort and program history. For the heptathlon, the top 24 athletes advance straight to the NCAA Championships, as there is no regional competition for the event.
BSU's four NCAA hopefuls will find out their fate at 5 p.m. Friday, when the NCAA announces the regional fields.
Players Mentioned
