Ball State University
Winrow-Valparaiso Open
Cardinals Perform Well at Cross Country Season Opener
August 30, 2024 | Cross Country
VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Ball State cross country opened its season at the Winrow-Valparaiso Open 5k on Friday morning. Â
Overall, the team finished fifth of nine teams with 165 points. Carly Spletzer led the team, finishing 21st overall and crossed the finish line with a time of 18:44.5. Close behind, Sarah Mahnensmith finished 30th with a time of 18:54.4. Coming in third for the Cardinals was Jessica Velez who finished 38th overall with a time of 19:30.3. Â
In her first meet as a Ball State Cardinal, Tori Jackson finished 42nd overall and ran in a time of 19:36.7. The next finisher for the Cardinals was Autumn Spence who finished 44th with a time of 19:51.4. Rounding out the Ball State team was Jenna Schifferer, coming in 51st overall and running 20:18.7. Â
"It was great to see the young ladies compete this morning," said head coach Adrian Wheatley. "We use competition to guide our training direction. Coach Nichwitz had a race plan that the ladies executed. It was a solid season opener for our young athletes. We are excited to return home and compete at our home meet in a couple of weeks."Â
Up next, the Cardinals will prepare to host the We Fly Challenge Preview on Saturday, September 14. The women's race is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. on the new Ball State Cross Country Course. Â
Players Mentioned
