In the Ball State University Open Friday, the Ball State women's indoor track and field team competed against the University of Dayton along with several other unattached athletes.
Although the Open was not scored, it didn't take long for Ball State to claim an individual title. The Open kicked off at 4:30 p.m. with the field events. Seniors Cara Collins (42'8") and Ali Zuidervliet (39'7 -+") ended up going 1-2 in the shot put competition. Along with Collins and Zuidervliet, sophomore Lanae Stovall grabbed a title of her own in the long jump (16'9 3/4").
The Cardinals delivered more individual crowns on the running side of the meet as well. Junior Amber Williams won the 60-meter hurdles in a time of 8.64 seconds and was impressed with her early season performance.
"I'm very happy with the race tonight," Williams said after the meet. "I'm ahead of where I was last year, and if I keep improving I feel I'll be in a really good position."
Other individual winners included junior Voni Ferguson in the 200-meter dash (25.35), senior Amanda Ponsot in the 800-meter run (2:21.63) and senior Rose Lehe in the 1600-meter run (5:12.11).
Lehe planned for the race beforehand and was modestly satisfied with her performance.
"I really just wanted to come out and hit 5:15 and just stay about even throughout," Lehe said. "I guess it went good. I don't like leading but it wasn't that bad."
With the early season tune-up behind them, the Cardinals now prepare for the scored season beginning with the Bowling Green Quadrangular Jan. 19 in Bowling Green, Ohio. Other notable dates for the indoor track and field team include the Mid-American Conference championships on Feb. 23 and the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 9 in Fayettevwille, Ark.
The NCAA Indoor Championships, which fall on Ball State's Spring Break, are something sprinter/hurdler Williams does not want to miss this year.
"I got cut off last year but got really close," Williams said. "Beginning the year like this helps and it makes me ready for the rest of the season because I definitely want to spend my spring break in Arkansas."
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