Six runners from the Ball State University women's track and field team will travel to the NCAA Mideast regional championships this weekend in Columbus, Mo.
Coach Randy Heisler said the competition will be strong.
"It's the strongest regional meet in the country," Heisler said.
Heisler said the level of competition has made the team a little overwhelmed.
"They're going against the best so they're a little nervous," Heisler said. "If we keep them relaxed and they go do what it is they do then they should turn out alright. And then the competition will have to deal with them."
Assistant women's track and field coach Steve Rajewsky said the talent comes from schools big and small.
"We've got a tough region," Rajewsky said. "It's a mix from power conferences such as the [South Eastern Conference]. There are some tough kids from [Louisiana State University] and Tennessee."
The Mideast region encompasses a vast area of the country. Heisler said the region is focused on track and field, while the east coast and the west coast teams are not.
"The Midwest, the south, from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, from Minnesota to Tennessee," Heisler said. "[This] is the hotbed."
Mid-American Conference record setter Amber Williams will run the 100-meter dash, 100-meter hurdles and the 200-meter dash for Ball State. Williams faces a different competitive level situation in the regional meet as shown by her No. 12 seed in the 100-meters Rajewsky said.
Williams, also competes in the 4x100 relay team with Christina Whitt, Voni Ferguson, and Katie Johnson.
Rajewsky said he has high hopes that the team will compete at a high level and beat the school record.
"A great goal for the relay would be to make the final," Rajewsky said. "Especially to beat the school record of 45-42."
The other runner making the trip is Rose Lehe, who was recently named to the track and field academic All-MAC team.
Heisler said his team will need to deal with the increased talent level at the regional meet.
"You've got to bring your A game this weekend or it's one lap and 'Where's the bus? Have a nice summer,'" Heisler said.
Ball State hired Heisler Jan. 4. Rajewsky said reaching the regional meet shows the team's perseverance.
"It is a testament to these kids to go through a head coach in the fall and now a new coach," Rajewsky said. "To work hard and have a good year in the broad sense."
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