Cross Country Takes Second at IWU Twilight Classic

Friday, September 7

Marion, IN

6 p.m.

Ball State University

IWU Twilight Classic

September 07, 2018 | Cross Country

IWU Twilight Classic Complete Results

MARION, Ind.-- Not even Friday's heavy rain could slow down the Ball State cross country team, which battled less than ideal weather conditions to take second at the IWU Twilight Classic Friday evening at the IWU Cross Country Course in Marion, Ind.

"This meet was another step in the right direction," distance coach Rachel McFarlane said. "I think we executed the beginning of the race well and our group was in control. However, we need to fine tune some decisions in the middle part of our race. The course was pretty rough with the rain all day, but I thought our women handled it well."

For the second straight week it was sophomore Cayla Eckenroth who led the Cardinals to the finish line, as she placed second among the 126 runners in the field with a career-fast 5K time of 18:23.1.

Following in fourth place for the Cardinals was junior Maritza Rodriguez, who was just off her career-fast pace, finishing in 18:32.8.

Rounding out Ball State's five scored runners in Friday's race were sophomore Emmalyne Tarsa in ninth (19:08.3), junior Lauren Whitehouse in 13th (19:27.0) and freshman Maddie Aul in 15th (19:31.7). Both Tarsa and Aul's times were career-best performances.

Overall, Ball State's 12 runners in the field combined to record seven career-best performances.

Next up for the Cardinals will be the Spartan Invitational next Friday (Sept. 14) in East Lansing, Michigan. The women's 6K race is scheduled to start at 12:15 p.m.

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

Ball State Individual Results
2nd - Cayla Eckenroth - 18:23.1*
4th - Maritza Rodriguez - 18:32.8
9th - Emmalyne Tarsa - 19:27.7*
13th - Lauren Whitehouse - 19:27.0
15th - Maddie Aul - 19:31.7*
16th - Meliza Rodriguez - 19:32.7*
17th - Hannah Cummings - 19:34.6
26th - Lauren Alsko - 19:53.4*
28th - Jamie Wells - 19:59.2*
29th - Karleigh Conner - 20:07.4*
36th - Aubrey Norris - 20:42.5
42nd - Emma Cunningham - 20:56.5
* = denotes career-best 5K time