Eckenroth Paces Cross Country at Butler Twilight

CARMEL, Ind.-- With a 5K time of 18:37.1, sophomore Cayla Eckenroth led the Ball State cross country team to the finish line at the Butler Twilight for the second straight season, placing eighth out of 67 runners Friday evening at Northview Church in Carmel, Indiana.

"I was pleased with how our young squad looked their first time out," first-year distance coach Rachel McFarlane said. "Our team gave an honest effort and we learned a lot about what we need to work on in the coming weeks."

Junior Maritza Rodriguez was the second Cardinals runner to cross the finish line Friday, placing 15th overall in 19:19.8. Next to cross for Ball State was Peyton Kneadler who opened her junior campaign with a career-fast 5K time of 19:27.5.

Overall, the Cardinals' five scored runners combined for 83 points to place third among the seven teams entered in the meet. The host Bulldogs won the competition with 27 points, followed by IUPUI (70), Ball State (83), Indianapolis (103), Purdue Fort Wayne (112), DePaul (139) and Marian (197).

Rounding out the Cardinals' scored runners Friday evening were sophomore Emmalyne Tarsa in 19th (19:27.7) and junior Hannah Cummings in 23rd (19:51.7).

The Ball State cross country team will trek up I-69 next Saturday (Sept. 7) for the IWU Twilight Classic hosted by Indiana Wesleyan University. The women's 5K race is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. at the IWU Cross Country Course.

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

Ball State Individual Results
8th - Cayla Eckenroth - 18:37.1
15th - Maritza Rodriguez - 19:19.8
18th - Peyton Kneadler - 19:27.5*
19th - Emmalyne Tarsa - 19:27.7
23rd - Hannah Cummings - 19:51.7
24th - Lauren Whitehouse - 19:53.1
28th - Meliza Rodriguez - 19:59.4
32nd - Karleigh Conner - 20:19.8*
33rd - Maddie Aul - 20:25.2*
35th - Aubrey Norris - 20:34.9*
36th - Emma Cunningham - 20:35.2*
39th - Lauren Alsko - 20:43.7*
* = denotes career-best 5K time

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Players Mentioned

Lauren Alsko

Maddie Aul

Karleigh Conner

Hannah Cummings

Emma Cunningham

Cayla Eckenroth

Peyton Kneadler

Aubrey Norris

Maritza Rodriguez

Meliza Rodriguez

Emmalyne Tarsa

Lauren Whitehouse