Ball State University Athletics
Friday, October 30
Muncie, IN
Women 3:30, Men 4:15
Ball State University
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Cardinal Classic
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Machan's Run Highlight Of 2020-21's First Athletic Event
October 30, 2020 | Cross Country
MUNCIE - It had been 234 days since a Ball State athletics event took place at home, and 349 days since the NCAA Regional last November. In an effort to get back on the course and finally compete, the Ball State cross country team also found itself Friday in the 2020 Cardinal Classic.
"It was definitely great to be competing again. Of course, it was my first meet and we were getting a feel for where we're at right now," distance coach Sarah Pease said. "We have a couple meets left so we'll get back to practice and go from there. But it was important for us to get out and race."
Pease's first meet saw an impressive debut from freshman Elka Machan, placing third in the field of 25 runners with a mark of 21:45. She was less than a second out of second place and 4.5 seconds from the lead.
"I thought Elka had a pretty nice race. She put it out there and now we have a baseline for where she is and we can strategize for our meet next weekend and then the conference meet," Pease said. "She's showing what she's capable of and she's going to get better and better."
"I am pretty happy with what I did today but I have a lot to improve on," Machan said. "I was nervous going into it but also excited, I had the adrenaline going for sure."
Machan knew shortly after the start she had a shot at running a strong race, despite never having competed in a 6K meet. And as a freshman, competing favorably with more experienced runners.Â
"I started strong at the beginning. It was a little overwhelming running a 6K, but I got over it and ran my race."
Cayla Eckenroth was the second-fastest Card in 10th place (22:41), with Juliana Stogsdill 12th (23:00.4) and Kylee Mastin right behind her (23:00.6). BSU's final scorer was Grace Dean in 17th (23:16).
Miami's Katie Vitou (21:41) was the individual champion, 3.7 seconds ahead of the next runner. Miami won the meet and had four of the top seven finishers. Behind Vitou were Carmen Riano (2nd, 21:45) and Emily Akin (4th, 21:51).Â
BSU is scheduled to compete next Saturday, Nov. 7 in a meet at Bowling Green. Details will be following soon. The MAC Championships will be held Saturday, Nov. 21.
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Ohio 51
Ball State 55
"It was definitely great to be competing again. Of course, it was my first meet and we were getting a feel for where we're at right now," distance coach Sarah Pease said. "We have a couple meets left so we'll get back to practice and go from there. But it was important for us to get out and race."
Pease's first meet saw an impressive debut from freshman Elka Machan, placing third in the field of 25 runners with a mark of 21:45. She was less than a second out of second place and 4.5 seconds from the lead.
"I thought Elka had a pretty nice race. She put it out there and now we have a baseline for where she is and we can strategize for our meet next weekend and then the conference meet," Pease said. "She's showing what she's capable of and she's going to get better and better."
"I am pretty happy with what I did today but I have a lot to improve on," Machan said. "I was nervous going into it but also excited, I had the adrenaline going for sure."
Machan knew shortly after the start she had a shot at running a strong race, despite never having competed in a 6K meet. And as a freshman, competing favorably with more experienced runners.Â
"I started strong at the beginning. It was a little overwhelming running a 6K, but I got over it and ran my race."
Cayla Eckenroth was the second-fastest Card in 10th place (22:41), with Juliana Stogsdill 12th (23:00.4) and Kylee Mastin right behind her (23:00.6). BSU's final scorer was Grace Dean in 17th (23:16).
Miami's Katie Vitou (21:41) was the individual champion, 3.7 seconds ahead of the next runner. Miami won the meet and had four of the top seven finishers. Behind Vitou were Carmen Riano (2nd, 21:45) and Emily Akin (4th, 21:51).Â
BSU is scheduled to compete next Saturday, Nov. 7 in a meet at Bowling Green. Details will be following soon. The MAC Championships will be held Saturday, Nov. 21.
Â
Team Standings
Miami 20Ohio 51
Ball State 55
Top 5 + Ball State
| 1. Katie Vitou, Miami | 21:41.3 |
| 2. Carmen Riano, Miami | 21:45.0 |
| 3. Elka Machan, Ball State | 21:45.8 |
| 4. Emily Akin, Miami | 21:51.6 |
| 5. Hailey Bowes, Ohio | 22:08.8 |
| 10. Cayla Eckenroth, Ball State | 22:41.0 |
| 12. Juliana Stogsdill, Ball State    | 23:00.4 |
| 13. Kylee Mastin, Ball State | 23:00.6 |
| 17. Grace Dean, Ball State | 23:16.2 |
| 18. Emmalyne Tarsa, Ball State | 23:17.9 |
| 21. Emma Cunningham, Ball State | 23:57.4 |
| 22. Karleigh Conner, Ball State | 24:18.0 |
Players Mentioned
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