Originally set as a three-way meet, prior to the inclusion of Northern Illinois University, the Ball State Quadrangular delivered the last test for the Cardinals prior the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships.
The women's track and field team ended up taking third in its own meet while fellow MAC counterpart Western Michigan University won the meet with a score of 155 points.
Miami University was second with a total of 150 points, followed by Ball State with 92 points and Northern Illinois with 91.
The Cardinals continued to run thin, with a competing squad about half the size of a normal 30-member roster most teams hold. With 18 members set to compete at the MAC Championships Friday and Saturday, coach Randy Heisler said it's important to stay healthy.
"Of course it's nice to win every meet you can like this one, but we're always thinking about the kids and keeping them healthy," he said. "Conference is the focus for the entire year and sacrificing some in these smaller meets is necessary."
Perhaps the biggest highlight of the Quadrangular for the Cardinals was not in the sprint events, which Ball State University is known for, but in the field events.
Sophomore Lauren McNichols broke a seven-year-old school record in the pole vault competition. McNichols cleared 11-3 3/4, surpassing the old record of 10-10 1/4 held by Angie Hay.
Junior Amber Williams continued her dominance of MAC competitors in the 60-meter hurdles and 200-meter dash by winning both.
Senior Rose Lehe was the other individual winner for Ball State, winning the mile with a time of 5:04.07. -áFellow senior Amanda Ponsot finished second with a time of 5:04.41.
With the conclusion of the meet, focus transitioned to the MAC Championships next weekend in Akron, Ohio.
Heisler said while the regular season might be a disappointment to some of the athletes, it is important to look at the meets that really matter.
"I think they came through pretty well, with as thin as the team is," Heisler said. "It's definitely been a quick season, but we keep reminding them that conference is what matters and we're doing the best we can to get the kids ready."
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