Senior Jordan Timmons led the Ball State cross country team this weekend at the Indiana Intercollegiate Championships at Purdue University Cross Country Course. 

Timmons became the third different runner to take the top spot on the Cardinals' roster as she finished the 6K race in 24:50.8 to place 18th among scored runners. Timmons' finish contributed to an overall fourth place finish for Ball State, in a race against in-state rivals Purdue, Indiana State and Indiana. 

“[Timmons] placed in the 20s and she was our top runner," head coach Raynee DeGrio said. "She ran pretty well.”

In a 6K race that was open to all universities in the state of Indiana, DeGrio only took half of her squad to compete against the other 16 teams in the race. 

"It was hot and humid and we were more concerned about the individual scores rather than the team scores," DeGrio said. 

Right behind Timmons were sophomores Meliza Rodriguez (25:00.4) and Lauren Whitehouse (25:49.5). Rodriguez finished second for the Cardinals and took 19th among scored runners, while Whitehouse finished in the three-spot for the Cardinals and 22nd overall.

Senior Kitty Taylor (26:04.8), freshman Kaylor Hoover and sophomore Emma Maddelein also placed for Ball State. Hoover's time of 26:17.8 was a career-fast effort, as was Maddelein's 26th place finish of 26:25.4. 

"It was our first 6K race of the year, so I think some people were uncomfortable with the race distance, but they competed really well top to bottom and it was a good step forward," DeGrio said.

The Cardinals will return to action on Saturday with a full lineup for next week’s race at Miami of Ohio as it competes in the Redhawk Rumble. The meet is slated to start at 11 a.m.

Share