Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, October 31
East Lansing, Mich.
10:35 a.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Big Ten Championships
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
No. 8 Northwestern Begins Postseason Slate Friday At Big Ten Championships
10/30/2025 10:05:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
‘Cats head to league meet with highest national ranking in program history
EVANSTON, Ill. (October 30, 2025) – Currently staked to its highest national ranking in program history, No. 8 Northwestern cross country raises the curtain on postseason competition Friday at the Big Ten Conference Championships in East Lansing, Mich.
The women's 6k race is scheduled to get underway at 10:35 a.m. CT at Michigan State University's Forest Akers East Golf Course. Big Ten Network will provide live coverage of the full meet, with links to watch and follow live results available above.
Northwestern enters the postseason ranked eighth in the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Coaches' Poll. The Wildcats, who sit second in the USTFCCCA Midwest Regional Rankings, are joined in the national poll by five Big Ten Conference foes: No. 4 Oregon, No. 12 Penn State, No. 19 Wisconsin, No. 20 Washington, and No. 24 Michigan State.
Seventh-year head coach Jill Miller's team rolls into the postseason coming off an outstanding showing at the Nuttycombe Invitational. Ava Criniti led the Northwestern attack, placing 23rd overall in 20:21.1, as the Wildcats' top five finished within a 26-second spread en route to placing fifth overall — the program's top showing at the prestigious meet. In total, the 'Cats defeated 13 ranked foes, including six top-15 teams.
The Wildcats will be looking to replicate their success from earlier this season on the Forest Akers East Golf Course, where they stormed to victory at the Big Ten Preview on September 12. Ava Earl surged to individual medalist honors at the meet in 20:14.5, while Anna Hightower was close behind in 20:16.0 for a runner-up showing. Four 'Cats placed inside the top five at the event, as Northwestern captured the team title in commanding fashion.
Northwestern will continue postseason competition on Friday, November 14, when it heads to Stillwater, Okla. for the NCAA Midwest Regional.
The women's 6k race is scheduled to get underway at 10:35 a.m. CT at Michigan State University's Forest Akers East Golf Course. Big Ten Network will provide live coverage of the full meet, with links to watch and follow live results available above.
Northwestern enters the postseason ranked eighth in the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Coaches' Poll. The Wildcats, who sit second in the USTFCCCA Midwest Regional Rankings, are joined in the national poll by five Big Ten Conference foes: No. 4 Oregon, No. 12 Penn State, No. 19 Wisconsin, No. 20 Washington, and No. 24 Michigan State.
Seventh-year head coach Jill Miller's team rolls into the postseason coming off an outstanding showing at the Nuttycombe Invitational. Ava Criniti led the Northwestern attack, placing 23rd overall in 20:21.1, as the Wildcats' top five finished within a 26-second spread en route to placing fifth overall — the program's top showing at the prestigious meet. In total, the 'Cats defeated 13 ranked foes, including six top-15 teams.
The Wildcats will be looking to replicate their success from earlier this season on the Forest Akers East Golf Course, where they stormed to victory at the Big Ten Preview on September 12. Ava Earl surged to individual medalist honors at the meet in 20:14.5, while Anna Hightower was close behind in 20:16.0 for a runner-up showing. Four 'Cats placed inside the top five at the event, as Northwestern captured the team title in commanding fashion.
Northwestern will continue postseason competition on Friday, November 14, when it heads to Stillwater, Okla. for the NCAA Midwest Regional.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
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