Cross Country Turns in Strong Performance at Spartan Invite

EAST LANSING, Mich.-- The Ball State cross country team turned in another strong performance Friday afternoon, as its top five runners finished in the top third of a highly competitive field at the Spartan Invitational hosted by Michigan State.

"Overall, I thought we competed well and took another step in the right direction for this team," distance coach Rachel McFarlane said. "We were a little hesitant in the middle part of the race, but that's something we will work on in the weeks to come."

In the team's first 6K meet of the season, sophomore Cayla Eckenroth led the Cardinals for the third straight week with a 34th-place time of 23:02.3 at the Forest Akers East Golf Course. Not only was Eckenroth the fastest BSU runner at the meet, but she also led all competitors from the Mid-American Conference.

Originally scheduled as a non-scored event, the meet was later scored with Ball State finishing fourth among the 21 scored teams. Overall, Ball State's top five runners all finished the day in the top third of the 30-team, 255-runner field. Joining BSU from the MAC were Central Michigan and Western Michigan.

Finishing just behind Eckenroth was junior Maritza Rodriguez who clocked in at 23:09.7 to place 37th overall. Sophomore Emmalyne Tarsa was next to cross the line for the Cardinals, earning a career-best 6K time of 23:34.8 to place 48th.

"Both Cayla and Maritza were solid today," McFarlane said. "They worked will together in the front of the race."

Rounding out Ball State's top five runners were junior Peyton Kneadler in 52nd (23:40.4) and junior Hannah Cummings in 65th (24:01.9).

Also running for the Cardinals were junior Lauren Whitehouse in 87th (24:18.3), junior Meliza Rodriguez in 92nd (24:29.6) and freshman Maddie Aul in 149th (26.00.9) in her first collegiate 6K race.

The Ball State cross country team will focus on training for the next two weeks before returning to action Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Greater Louisville Classic.

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

Ball State Individual Results at Spartan Invitational
34th (23rd scored) - Cayla Eckenroth - 23:02.3
37th (25th scored) - Maritza Rodriguez - 23:09.7
49th (35th scored) - Emmalyne Tarsa - 23:34.8*
53rd (37th scored) - Peyton Kneadler - 23:40.4
67th (43rd scored) - Hannah Cummings - 24:01.9
89th (61st scored) - Lauren Whitehouse - 24:18.3
94th (66th scored) - Meliza Rodriguez - 24:29.6
153rd (DNS) - Maddie Aul - 26:00.9*
* = denotes career-best 6K time

Cross Country Turns in Strong Performance at Spartan Invite

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Players Mentioned

Maddie Aul

Hannah Cummings

Cayla Eckenroth

Peyton Kneadler

Maritza Rodriguez

Meliza Rodriguez

Emmalyne Tarsa

Lauren Whitehouse