Three weeks into the indoor season, women's track and field head coach Sue Parks has already noticed an improvement over last year.
"We're showing a lot more depth than last year," Parks said. "We're right where we want to be. As long as we keep improving, hopefully that (depth) will help us when the MAC rolls around."
Ball State will look to continue that improvement Saturday when it travels to the Smith Barney Invitational in Indianapolis, a non-scoring meet.
"It's always been a meet where we've done well," Parks said. "We enjoy going because it's close and we can get some fans. I expect us to do well."
Arkansas, Eastern Michigan and Vanderbilt are among the other teams competing, as well as an Indiana club team that Parks said is excellent and has some former Cardinal athletes.
"It doesn't matter whether it's scoring or non-scoring - we'll compete hard," Parks said. "Any time we can improve, it helps as far as seedings for the MAC (Championships)."
Senior jumper/sprinter Patricia Soman led the Cardinals last week by grabbing two firsts and two seconds at the Notre Dame Triangular. Parks said Soman and freshman Jennifer McCoy are among those who have starred this year.
"Jennifer has the conference's best time in the hurdles, and she's doing well in the long jump. She's showing a lot of competitiveness."
Distance, high jump and sprints are other areas in which Parks has seen good depth.
"Jill Scully and Stacey Ritz are looking good in distance," she said. "We didn't have them last year because of injury. We've shown a lot in the high jump, and we have three of the top eight in the MAC in sprints.
"The key for us is showing more depth than last year, not just having the winners."
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