The Ball State University women's track and field team ended its season with a sixth place finish in the 2009 Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the University of Akron this weekend.
Host Akron won the meet with 147 points. Kent State University was second with 106.5 points and Western Michigan University placed third with 103 points. Ball State finished with 62.5 points despite being severely outnumbered.
"We brought 20 runners," coach Randy Heisler said. "All of the other schools brought 28 to 30."
The Akron track and field complex was plagued by rain and unseasonably cool temperatures throughout the entire weekend, but coach Heisler said the weather did not play a factor for his team.
"If it's cool and uncomfortable for us, it's cool and uncomfortable for everybody," Heisler said.
Fifth-year senior Amber Williams won two events, the 100-meter dash and 100-meter hurdles. Her mark of 13.60 was the fastest 100m hurdle time in the history of Akron's Lee Jackson Track and Field Complex. Williams was also runner-up to Ohio's Kari Summer in the voting for the Most Valuable Track Athlete Award.
Ali Bishel placed second in the 10,000-meter run with a time of 35:59.11. Heisler said Bishel led 23 of the 25 laps, but faded at the end of the race. Bishel also placed fourth in the 5,000 meter with a time of 17:21.55.
Junior Katie Johnson placed second to teammate Williams in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.68 seconds, and along with Williams helped the 4x100 meter relay team to its second fastest time of the year at 46.28 seconds, good enough for a third place finish. Williams and Johnson were joined on the relay team by freshman Janae Taylor and senior Christina Whitt.
Heisler said Johnson ran despite being hampered by a hamstring injury.
"Three weeks ago, we didn't think she would run," Heisler said. "She hadn't practiced in two weeks. Her speed was there, but with sprinting, she had to be conservative. Had she been full strength, we would have won the relay."
Heisler said the Cardinals have been plagued with injuries all season, but is optimistic the team will rebound next year.
"We're just really lacking in quality depth right now," Heisler said. "With the recruiting class we have for next year, we'll do well."
Williams and Johnson will move on to compete in the NCAA Midwest Regional Track Meet next weekend in Louisville, Ky.
Williams is also exploring the possibility of running professionally, which Heisler said is a definite possibility.
"Anytime you can be in the top 10 or 12 in the country in your event, there is the possibility of turning pro, and Amber is right there," Heisler said. "As the competition gets faster, Amber gets faster."
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