XC Looks To Build More Momentum Friday at IWU Twilight Classic

First-year Ball State cross country distance coach Rachel McFarlane has been setting new goals for her runners this week in preparation for the team's next cross country meet.

"We are executing our race plans and just going more in depth so we can execute and make decisions," McFarlane said. "That can change their race from being okay to being good or great."

Those race plans will be in place for tomorrow's Indiana Wesleyan University Twilight Classic in Marion, Indiana. McFarlane said the size of the meet will have no effect on the team's goals.

"I think knowing this is a smaller meet is just as important, and we have to remember that," McFarlane said. "We need to perform our best and learn from these types of races."

The Cardinals are riding some momentum into their second meet of the season. Ball State is coming off an impressive third-place finish in the Butler Twilight meet on Aug. 31 in Carmel, Indiana. Four of the Cardinals' five scored runners finished in the top-20. That level of overall team success is something McFarlane said she wants to continue to see from her runners.

"We have to make sure that core group works together," McFarlane said. "Hopefully good performances from the group will stand out."

One group that has already stood out to McFarlane is the freshmen runners. All five freshmen who participated in the Butler meet finished in the top 40. McFarlane said their effort was good to see in their first collegiate meet.

"They looked good and were engaged in the race," McFarlane said. "I was impressed with them."

McFarlane said she was also impressed with the team's workout leading up to tomorrow's meet. She said the added intensity made her even more pleased with the effort.

"We had a really good workout Tuesday," McFarlane said, "and it was probably one of their longest and toughest workouts to date."

The Cardinals will be looking to turn that success in their practice runs into success in their next meet. Ball State will toe the line tomorrow evening in Marion for the 5K run at 6 p.m.

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

XC Looks To Build More Momentum Friday at IWU Twilight Classic

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