Indoor Track & Field Opens 2011 Campaign Saturday

January 13, 2011 | Track & Field

By: Ball State Athletics

MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State indoor track & field team opens its 2011 season Saturday morning, when it travels to league rival Bowling Green for the BGSU Challenge. Action in the field events begins at 11 a.m., while track events start at noon.

In addition to the Cardinals and Falcons, league foes Ohio and Western Michigan are also expected to compete at the meet. Also slated to participate in the meet are Dayton, IPFW and Spring Arbor.

Under the guidance of fifth-year head coach Randy Heisler, the Cardinals return 27 student-athletes, including 22 letterwinners, from last season's indoor squad. The BSU roster also features 12 new members.

Looking to lead the Cardinals during the 2011 indoor campaign are a talented group of seniors including former Mid-American Conference Champions Ali Bishel (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.), Thekla Lorenz (Hamburg, Germany) and Ra'Jae Marable (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer H.S.).

Bishel, who redshirted last indoor season, was named the Women's Most Outstanding Performer at the 2009 MAC Championships after winning the 3,000m (9:43.23) and 5,000m (16:39.80) events. At the 2008 MAC Championships, Bishel took home first place in the 3,000m (9:40.59), mile (4:53.72) and the distance medley relay (11:44.33).

Lorenz returns as an indoor champion in the pentathlon, capturing the title at the 2008 MAC Championships. At last season's league meet, Lorenz placed third in the pentathlon, following a second-place showing in 2009.

Marable was the 2008 MAC Indoor Champion in the 60m hurdles, while placing sixth in 2009 and eighth last season.

Other seniors who are slated to compete this season are: Megan Cherry (Hobart, Ind./Hobart H.S.), Kelsey Nielsen (Bremen, Ind./Bremen H.S.), Jordan Puckett (Washington, Ind./Washington H.S.) and Brandi Robinson (Chicago, Ill./Morgan Park H.S.).