Ball State University Athletics
Friday, October 30
Kalamazoo, Mich.
Ball State University
vs
MAC Championship
Photo by: Jake Dickman — Ball State Athletics
October 30, 2026 | Cross Country
KALAMAZOO, Mich— A string of PRs and season bests paced the Ball State cross country team to a 10th place finish at the Mid-American Conference Championships.
Sophomore Emily Decker led the way with the first PR of the bunch, improving her career best 6k time to 21:16.0. Decker crossed the line in 32nd place, 19 spots higher than she did at last year's MAC Championships.
Behind Decker was freshman Carla Rodriguez in 61st place. Rodriguez also posted a 6k PR with a time of 21:59.0. She was joined by freshman teammate Abra Mills—who was the third Cardinal to PR—just two spots back in 63rd place. The freshman duo crossed the line less than five seconds apart with MIlls finsihing in 22:03.7.
Junior Tori Jackson was fourth across the line for Ball State in 87th place with a season best 6k time of 22:48.7. Jackson topped her 6k time from just two weeks ago by a staggering 24 seconds.
The next two Cardinals were bookends of the program, with freshman Gemma Pusateri crossing the stripe with a time of 23:04.7, exactly two seconds ahead of senior Kendyl Thrasher. Both Pusateri and Thrasher posted PRs for the 6k.
Ball State was rounded out by two seniors, Elaina Lahmers and Maci Hoskins. Lahmers's time of 23:30.7 marks a season best while Hoskins's time 24:38.2 marked her first race of the season.
"We had seven of our eight ladies run a 6K personal record or season best," said head coach Adrian Wheatley, "and we had the youngest top five in the field. I'm proud of the progress they've made this season. They're gaining experience and learning how to compete at this level. We have a lot to build on, and I'm excited about what's ahead for this group."
Next up for the Cardinals will be the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Meet on Nov. 13.
Sophomore Emily Decker led the way with the first PR of the bunch, improving her career best 6k time to 21:16.0. Decker crossed the line in 32nd place, 19 spots higher than she did at last year's MAC Championships.
Behind Decker was freshman Carla Rodriguez in 61st place. Rodriguez also posted a 6k PR with a time of 21:59.0. She was joined by freshman teammate Abra Mills—who was the third Cardinal to PR—just two spots back in 63rd place. The freshman duo crossed the line less than five seconds apart with MIlls finsihing in 22:03.7.
Junior Tori Jackson was fourth across the line for Ball State in 87th place with a season best 6k time of 22:48.7. Jackson topped her 6k time from just two weeks ago by a staggering 24 seconds.
The next two Cardinals were bookends of the program, with freshman Gemma Pusateri crossing the stripe with a time of 23:04.7, exactly two seconds ahead of senior Kendyl Thrasher. Both Pusateri and Thrasher posted PRs for the 6k.
Ball State was rounded out by two seniors, Elaina Lahmers and Maci Hoskins. Lahmers's time of 23:30.7 marks a season best while Hoskins's time 24:38.2 marked her first race of the season.
"We had seven of our eight ladies run a 6K personal record or season best," said head coach Adrian Wheatley, "and we had the youngest top five in the field. I'm proud of the progress they've made this season. They're gaining experience and learning how to compete at this level. We have a lot to build on, and I'm excited about what's ahead for this group."
Next up for the Cardinals will be the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Meet on Nov. 13.
Players Mentioned
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