Cross Country Rumbles to Second Place in Oxford

OXFORD, Ohio - - The Ball State cross country team took advantage on an early start to earn a second-place finish at the RedHawk Rumble at the Miami University Cross Country Course in Oxford, Ohio.

With afternoon temperatures forecasted to be in the 90s, Saturday's meet started nearly an hour early in an attempt to beat the heat. The Cardinals took advantage of the earlier start, with its five scored runners combining for 57 points to take second in the meet.

Host Miami won the event with 20 points, while Kent State finished third with 59 points.

In her first career 6K race, sophomore Hannah Cummings became the fourth different runner to lead the Cardinals to the finish line, placing fifth overall with a career-fast time of 22:47.7. In her first two races of the season, both 5K events, Cummings was Ball State's second-fastest runner.

Cayla Eckenroth continued her stellar freshman campaign, placing second on the team and 10th among scored runners with a career-fast 6K effort of 23:34.8. In the three races she has run in her debut season, Eckenroth has finished as one of Ball State's top three runners in each.

Sophomore Maritza Rodriguez continued to build upon her strong second-year showing, crossing the finish line third for the Cardinals and 11th among scored runners with a career-fast 6K time of 23:47.3. Like Cummings and Eckenroth, Ma. Rodriguez has also finished as one of Ball State's top three runners in all three meets she has competed in this season.

Rounding out Ball State's top five finishers at the RedHawk Rumble were senior Jessica Bryzek and sophomore Meliza Rodriguez. Bryzek placed 15th among scored runners in 24:13.2, while Me. Rodriguez was right behind in 16th with a career-fast 6K clocking of 24:21.3.

The Ball State cross country team will step up to the starting line for the fifth consecutive week next Saturday (Sept. 30), when it takes part in the Greater Louisville Classic at E.P. Tom Sawyer Park in Louisville, Kentucky.

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

Ball State's Individual Results at RedHawk Rumble

Place (Scored)	Runner	Time (6K)
5th (5th)	Hannah Cummings	22:47.7*
14th (10th)	Cayla Eckenroth	23:34.8*
17th (11th)	Maritza Rodriguez	23:47.3*
23rd (15th)	Jessica Bryzek	24:13.2
24th (16th)	Meliza Rodriguez	24:21.3*
26th (18th)	Jordan Timmons	24:26.3
29th (20th)	Stephanie McElhaney	24:38.4
34th (DNS)	Lauren Whitehouse	24:55.6
37th (DNS)	Peyton Kneadler	25:15.5
39th (DNS)	Emmalyne Tarsa	25:38.4*
41st (DNS)	Kaylor Hoover	26:02.7*
44th (DNS)	Emma Maddelein	27:03.0
46th (DNS)	Kitty Taylor	28:23.3

* denotes career-best 6K time

- BallStateSports.com -

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Players Mentioned

Jessica Bryzek

Hannah Cummings

Cayla Eckenroth

Kaylor Hoover

Peyton Kneadler

Emma Maddelein

Stephanie McElhaney

Maritza Rodriguez

Meliza Rodriguez

Emmalyne Tarsa

Kitty Taylor

Jordan Timmons

Lauren Whitehouse