Friday, October 18
Muncie, IN
4:45 p.m.
Ball State University
vs
Cardinal Classic
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Cross Country with Perfect Finish at Cardinal Classic
October 18, 2019 | Cross Country
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Friday turned out to be a perfect day for a race and the Ball State cross country team took advantage of the ideal conditions and then some at the Muncie Elks Country Club.
Entering the meet, the Cardinals had not had a cross country runner break the 22-minute barrier in a 6K race since Ali Bishel clocked in at 21:47.59 on Nov. 14, 2010 at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional.
In just the third 6K race held at the Muncie Elks Country Club, three Ball State runners took advantage of the great weather and speedy course to undercut the mark led by a winning effort from junior Cayla Eckenroth.
Eckenroth crossed the line in a career-fast 21:36.2, shaving nearly a minute off her previous collegiate-best 6K time of 22:35.3, to record Ball State's fastest run at the distance since a 21:04.07 clocked by Bishel on Nov. 23, 2009 at the NCAA Championships.
Ball State freshman Vivian Van Eck was the next to cross the finish line, doing so in 21:44.0 to better her previous career-best by 1:18.1.
Maritza Rodriguez continued her strong senior campaign, finishing in a career-fast 21:50.2 to take third overall, as the Cardinals swept all three podium spots. The time was 19.5 faster than her previous career best mark.
Rounding out a 1-2-3-4 finish for the Cardinals was senior Hannah Cummings who also recorded a career-best effort at 22:02.7.
Ball State's fifth scored runner, freshman Juliana Stogsdill, was the sixth runner to cross the line in a career-fast 22:19.3, but was fifth among scored runners to give the Cardinals a perfect 15 points in the race victory.
Overall, the Cardinals top five runners turned in an average time of 21:55 on the way to a dominating team finish. Northern Kentucky was second among the five-team field at 55 points, followed by Miami (71), Anderson (125) and Transylvania (127).
In addition to its five scored runners, the Cardinals received personal-best times from senior Peyton Kneadler (7th - 22:22.1), sophomore Emma Cunningham (10th - 23:03.6) and redshirt-freshman Meghan Hedrick (11th - 23:10.8).
Sophomore Maddie Aul rounded out Ball State's runners in 19th place at 24:05.2.
The Ball State cross country team will now turn its attention to the biggest race of the year, the Mid-American Conference Championships hosted by Northern Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 2. The women's 6K race is currently set for 11 a.m. ET / 10 a.m. CT.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State cross country, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateTFXC.
Ball State Individual Results at Cardinal Classic
Overall / Scored Runner Time
1st/1st Cayla Eckenroth 21:36.2*
2nd/2nd Vivian Van Eck 21:44.0*
3rd/3rd Maritza Rodriguez 21:50.2*
4th/4th Hannah Cummings 22:02.7*
6th/5th Juliana Stogsdill 22:19.3*
7th/6th Peyton Kneadler 22:22.1*
10th/9th Emma Cunningham 23:03.6*
11th/DNS Meghan Hedrick 23:10.8*
19th/DNS Maddie Aul 24:05.2
Cardinal Classic Team Results (1st of 5 Teams)
1st - Ball State - 15
2nd - Northern Kentucky - 55
3rd - Miami - 71
4th - Anderson - 125
5th - Transylvania - 127
... perfect ending to a PERFECT MEET!!!
— BallStateTrack&XC (@BallStateTFXC) October 18, 2019
FIGHT TEAM FIGHT#ChirpChirp #WeFly #BallState pic.twitter.com/qLYmVaf0wB
Entering the meet, the Cardinals had not had a cross country runner break the 22-minute barrier in a 6K race since Ali Bishel clocked in at 21:47.59 on Nov. 14, 2010 at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional.
In just the third 6K race held at the Muncie Elks Country Club, three Ball State runners took advantage of the great weather and speedy course to undercut the mark led by a winning effort from junior Cayla Eckenroth.
The champion of the 2019 Cardinal Classic ... @caylaeckenroth!!!
— BallStateTrack&XC (@BallStateTFXC) October 18, 2019
Congrats Cayla!!!#ChirpChirp #WeFly pic.twitter.com/7nQpqZ96K7
Eckenroth crossed the line in a career-fast 21:36.2, shaving nearly a minute off her previous collegiate-best 6K time of 22:35.3, to record Ball State's fastest run at the distance since a 21:04.07 clocked by Bishel on Nov. 23, 2009 at the NCAA Championships.
Ball State freshman Vivian Van Eck was the next to cross the finish line, doing so in 21:44.0 to better her previous career-best by 1:18.1.
Maritza Rodriguez continued her strong senior campaign, finishing in a career-fast 21:50.2 to take third overall, as the Cardinals swept all three podium spots. The time was 19.5 faster than her previous career best mark.
Rounding out a 1-2-3-4 finish for the Cardinals was senior Hannah Cummings who also recorded a career-best effort at 22:02.7.
Ball State's fifth scored runner, freshman Juliana Stogsdill, was the sixth runner to cross the line in a career-fast 22:19.3, but was fifth among scored runners to give the Cardinals a perfect 15 points in the race victory.
Overall, the Cardinals top five runners turned in an average time of 21:55 on the way to a dominating team finish. Northern Kentucky was second among the five-team field at 55 points, followed by Miami (71), Anderson (125) and Transylvania (127).
In addition to its five scored runners, the Cardinals received personal-best times from senior Peyton Kneadler (7th - 22:22.1), sophomore Emma Cunningham (10th - 23:03.6) and redshirt-freshman Meghan Hedrick (11th - 23:10.8).
Sophomore Maddie Aul rounded out Ball State's runners in 19th place at 24:05.2.
The Ball State cross country team will now turn its attention to the biggest race of the year, the Mid-American Conference Championships hosted by Northern Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 2. The women's 6K race is currently set for 11 a.m. ET / 10 a.m. CT.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State cross country, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateTFXC.
Ball State Individual Results at Cardinal Classic
Overall / Scored Runner Time
1st/1st Cayla Eckenroth 21:36.2*
2nd/2nd Vivian Van Eck 21:44.0*
3rd/3rd Maritza Rodriguez 21:50.2*
4th/4th Hannah Cummings 22:02.7*
6th/5th Juliana Stogsdill 22:19.3*
7th/6th Peyton Kneadler 22:22.1*
10th/9th Emma Cunningham 23:03.6*
11th/DNS Meghan Hedrick 23:10.8*
19th/DNS Maddie Aul 24:05.2
Cardinal Classic Team Results (1st of 5 Teams)
1st - Ball State - 15
2nd - Northern Kentucky - 55
3rd - Miami - 71
4th - Anderson - 125
5th - Transylvania - 127
Players Mentioned
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