Getting the year off to a good start was the goal and the Ball State University women's cross country team did just that. Friday, the squad competed at the Butler Open with Wright State University, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Marian College and host Butler University.
The Open was not scored but instead served as a warm-up for the tough weeks that lie ahead.
Freshmen Sarah Kehe and Ali Bishel lead the way for the Cardinals. They finished second and third with a time of 18:55, behind the overall winner Genni Gardner of Butler by 27 seconds.
Head coach Todd Lane said that even with the Open's lack of importance of the Open, it provided a positive starting point for the team.
"It was a good place to begin the season even though the meet wasn't big at all," Lane said.
Although Friday's meet was impressive, the Cardinals continue to be plagued by injuries, leaving the experienced runners out for now.
Lane added that the team is pushing on into the season and focusing on working around injuries.
"It's hard to plan out or make adjustments this early in the year, although it seems we're headed in the right direction," Lane said. "But right now getting healthy is the main focus."
The Cardinals resume practice this week and do not have another contest until the Indiana Intercollegiates, Sept. 15 in Terre Haute, Ind.
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