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.
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.
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.
"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."
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.
Players Mentioned
