Cross Country Shined Bright at Joe Piane Invite

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Ball State cross country team had an outstanding performance at Notre Dame's Joe Piane Invite, Friday afternoon.

Out of their 23-team competition, the Cardinals finished fifth overall with a collective score of 208. The Cardinals were the highest placing MAC team to compete in the Gold Race, finishing 33 points ahead of the eighth place Western Michigan Broncos.

Leading the way was Carly Spletzer, who finished 22nd overall. Spletzer crossed the finish line with a time of 17:48.8, nearly a minute faster than her previous 5k time at the season opener in Valparaiso.

Third in for the Cardinals was Sarah Mahnensmith, finishing 27th with a time of 17:57.4. Close behind was Evie Noel, finishing 30th with a personal best time of 17:59.3. Shelby Christman crossed the finish line in 18:04.9, good for 39th overall.

Also running personal bests were Tori Jackson, crossing the line in 18:45.5, and Jessica Velez who crossed the finish line in 19:02.0.

Jenna Schifferer finished in a time of 19:07.6, followed by Autumn Spence's personal best time of 19:27.9.

Rounding out the Cardinal lineup was Kendyl Thrasher. In her first race of the season, Thrasher crossed the finish line with a collegiate best 5k time of 19:59.7.

The team will now look ahead to the Falcon Collegiate Invite scheduled for October 18 in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Ball State Individual Results
22nd – Carly Spletzer – 17:48.8
27th – Sarah Mahnensmith – 17:57.4
30th – Evie Noel – 17:59.3
39th – Shelby Christman – 18:04.9
91st – Tori Jackson – 18:45.5
107th – Jessica Velez – 19:02.0
112th – Jenna Schifferer – 19:07.6
136th – Autumn Spence – 19:27.9
157th – Kendyl Thrasher – 19:59.7

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Players Mentioned

Shelby Christman

Tori Jackson

Sarah Mahnensmith

Evie Noel

Jenna Schifferer

Autumn Spence

Carly Spletzer

Kendyl Thrasher

Jessica Velez