Rodriguez Paces Cross Country at Bradley Pink Classic

PEORIA, Ill. - - Sophomore Maritza Rodriguez turned in a career-fast 6K time of 22:28.2 to lead the Ball State cross country team to the finish line in the Women's Red Race of the Bradley Pink Classic Friday afternoon at the Newman Golf Course in Peoria, Ill.

It marks the second time this season Ma. Rodriguez has led the Cardinals to the finish line, as she was also Ball State's top performer at the 5K Illinois State University Country Financial Invitational (Sept. 8). In finishing 82nd among scored runners with her time of 22:28.2, Ma. Rodriguez shaved over a minute over her previous 6K career-best time of 23:47.3 set at the RedHawk Rumble (Sept. 23).

Finishing second for the Cardinals was sophomore Hannah Cummings, who turned in a career-fast 6K time of her own at 22:34.0. Ball State's race leader the previous two meets; Cummings has been a top three finisher for the Cardinals in all five races she has competed in this season, as has Ma. Rodriguez.

Rounding out Ball State's top five runners at the meet were redshirt sophomore Stephanie McElhaney (22:54.4 / 115th), sophomore Brooke Talhelm (22:56.4 / 119th) and freshman Cayla Eckenroth (23:02.2 / 127th). Both Talhelm and Eckenroth's times were career-fast efforts.

Overall, Ball State's top five runners combined for 536 points to place 21st among the 31-team field which featured 11 programs ranked in the latest USTFCCCA regional polls.

Seniors Jessica Bryzek (23:14.3 / 143rd) and Jordan Timmons (23:44.4 / 171st) completed Ball State's seven countable runners in the meet, while freshman Emmalyne Tarsa (23:48.2) and Meliza Rodriguez (23:50.8) competed but did not score for the Cardinals. Tarsa and Me. Rodriguez both finished the race in career-fast fashion.

Next up for the Ball State cross country team will be the 2017 Mid-American Conference Championships which will be run on the Miami University Cross Country Course in Oxford, Ohio, on Oct. 28.

For the most up-to-date news on Ball State cross country, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateTFXC.

Ball State's Individual Results at the 6K Bradley Pink Classic

Place (Scored)	Runner	Time (6K)
83rd (82nd)	Maritza Rodriguez	22:28.2*
94th (93rd)	Hannah Cummings	22:34.0*
118th (115th)	Stephanie McElhaney	22:54.5
123rd (119th)	Brooke Talhelm	22:56.4*
131st (127th)	Cayla Eckenroth	23:02.2*
151st (143rd)	Jessica Bryzek	23:14.3
185th (171st)	Jordan Timmons	23:44.4
189th (DNS)	Emmalyne Tarsa	23:48.2*
191st (DNS)	Meliza Rodriguez	23:50.8*

* denotes career-best 6K time

- BallStateSports.com -

Rodriguez Paces Cross Country at Bradley Pink Classic

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Players Mentioned

Jessica Bryzek

Hannah Cummings

Cayla Eckenroth

Stephanie McElhaney

Maritza Rodriguez

Meliza Rodriguez

Brooke Talhelm

Emmalyne Tarsa

Jordan Timmons