Cross Country Opens the 2024 Season in Valparaiso

Friday, August 30

Valparaiso, IN

5:00 p.m.

Ball State University

Winrow-Valparaiso Open

August 29, 2024 | Cross Country

The Ball State cross country team will open its season at the Winrow Valparaiso Open in Valparaiso, Indiana on Friday morning. The women's race is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. CT.

Ball State will meet eight other teams at their season opener, including UIC, Purdue, Notre Dame, Goshen, IU Indianapolis, Butler, Valparaiso and conference foe Western Michigan.

Following last season, the team is hoping to build success under new distance coach, Rachel Nichwitz. They are coming off a 23rd-place finish at the 2023 NCAA Great Lakes Regional in Madison, Wisconsin where Sarah Mahnensmith led the team.

Friday will be two athletes' first time representing the Cardinals on the cross country course, including sophomore Evie Noel and freshman Tori Jackson.

Looking ahead at the team's schedule, they will compete at home on the new Ball State Cross Country Course Saturday, September 14. This will be a preview of the MAC Championships as Ball State is this year's host team.