Elka Machan

Photo by: Ball State University

Position:
Distance
Class:
Freshman
High School:
Coldwater
Hometown:
Coldwater, Mich.

ETELMAN ON MACHAN: We are very excited to add Elka to the Cardinals family. She ended her fall season as one of the best cross country runners in the state of Michigan. Elka will come in and help our distance group right away. She's not afraid of the work that goes into being a successful athlete and student. Her drive will be a great attribute to the team.

PRs: 1600m - 5:03.11 | 3200m - 11:06.7 | 5K (XC) - 18:00.7

HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year letterwinner in cross country and entering her fourth season in track & field at Coldwater for coach Jim Bilsborrow … two-time All-State in cross country, while also earning all-state honors in track & field as a junior … won nine cross country meets as a senior, including the MHSAA LP Region 13-2 race and her second consecutive I-8 Conference Championship with a career-fast 5K time of 18:00.7 … also placed fourth at the MHSAA LP D2 Cross Country State Finals as a senior with a time of 18:26.3 … won two cross country events as a junior, including her first I-8 Conference Championship … four-time all-conference selection in cross country, as well as a three-time all-conference honoree in both the 1600m and 3200m in track & field … I-8 Conference Champion in the 3200m as a sophomore and junior, while also placing 15th at the state championships her sophomore season … placed ninth in the 1600m at the state meet as a junior with a career-fast time of 5:03.11, while also winning the conference championship in the event … also earned one letter in soccer at Coldwater.

WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State University because I automatically felt at home stepping onto campus. Everyone was so welcoming. Being at Ball State made all of the pieces fall together and I automatically knew I was in a place where I would have the support to do anything I imagined in athletics and academics.