Friday, August 29
Stillwater, Okla.
8:45 a.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Cowboy Preview
Photo by: Carson Skidmore/Northwestern Athletics
‘Cats, Criniti Charge To Victory At Cowboy Preview
8/29/2025 10:12:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Redshirt sophomore collects medalist honors as Northwestern opens season with dominant showing
STILLWATER, Okla. (August 29, 2025) – Led by individual medalist Ava Criniti, Northwestern cross country turned in a dominant showing en route to winning the team title at the season-opening Cowboy Preview this morning in Stillwater, Okla.
The 'Cats claimed the top five spots in the women's 3k race to post a perfect score of 15. Northwestern outdistanced event host No. 14 Oklahoma State (41 points), who also sit atop the regional rankings, by 26 points for the team crown. Oklahoma (3rd; 92 points) and Tulsa (4th; 101 points) rounded out the top four.
Gallery: (8-29-2025) Cross Country at Cowboy Preview
Criniti paced the Wildcat attack at the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course. Fresh off a redshirt first-year campaign in which she secured United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region honors, the Lexington, Mass. native surged through in 10:13.1 to secure the first victory of her collegiate career.
Just back of Criniti was fellow 2024 USTFCCCA All-Region pick Ava Earl. Earl, who was also named a Second Team All-Big Ten Conference selection last season, claimed runner-up honors in 10:15.5. Anna Hightower checked in just under two seconds back of Earl in third, posting a time of 10:17.1.
Following an impressive season on the track in 2024-25, Skye Ellis looked to pick up right where she left off, clocking in at 10:21.1 to place fourth. Holly Smith followed shortly after in fifth with a time of 10:25.4.
Jackie Holman battled her way to an 11th-place finish at 10:36.3, while Cary Drake, who made her first appearance as a Wildcat this morning, raced across in 10:36.8 to place 13th.
Northwestern will now turn its attention towards the Big Ten Preview on Friday, September 12 at Forest Akers Golf Course in East Lansing, Mich.
The 'Cats claimed the top five spots in the women's 3k race to post a perfect score of 15. Northwestern outdistanced event host No. 14 Oklahoma State (41 points), who also sit atop the regional rankings, by 26 points for the team crown. Oklahoma (3rd; 92 points) and Tulsa (4th; 101 points) rounded out the top four.
Criniti paced the Wildcat attack at the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course. Fresh off a redshirt first-year campaign in which she secured United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region honors, the Lexington, Mass. native surged through in 10:13.1 to secure the first victory of her collegiate career.
Just back of Criniti was fellow 2024 USTFCCCA All-Region pick Ava Earl. Earl, who was also named a Second Team All-Big Ten Conference selection last season, claimed runner-up honors in 10:15.5. Anna Hightower checked in just under two seconds back of Earl in third, posting a time of 10:17.1.
Following an impressive season on the track in 2024-25, Skye Ellis looked to pick up right where she left off, clocking in at 10:21.1 to place fourth. Holly Smith followed shortly after in fifth with a time of 10:25.4.
Jackie Holman battled her way to an 11th-place finish at 10:36.3, while Cary Drake, who made her first appearance as a Wildcat this morning, raced across in 10:36.8 to place 13th.
Northwestern will now turn its attention towards the Big Ten Preview on Friday, September 12 at Forest Akers Golf Course in East Lansing, Mich.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
New Season, Fresh Fits 🔥
Tuesday, August 19
David G. Kabiller NU for Life Program - 2025 Video
Tuesday, August 19
This is Northwestern Athletics | 2024-25 Recap
Tuesday, August 19
Northwestern - Wildcat Women: 2019
Wednesday, February 03
