Friday, September 12
East Lansing, Mich.
8:40 a.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Big Ten Preview
Photo by: Rey Del Rio/Northwestern Athletics
‘Cats Strike Again, Roll To Team Crown At Big Ten Preview
9/12/2025 10:46:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Earl collects individual medalist honors to lead group of four Wildcats in top five
EAST LANSING, Mich. (September 12, 2025) – For the second time in as many events, Northwestern cross country put together a commanding all-around effort, winning the team title in convincing fashion this morning at the Big Ten Preview in East Lansing, Mich.
Paced by individual medalist Ava Earl, four Wildcats finished inside the top five as Northwestern topped the team leaderboard with a score of 18 at the Forest Akers East Golf Course. The 'Cats came in 71 points clear of event host No. 17 Michigan State (89 points). Grand Valley State (3rd; 119 points), Cincinnati (4th; 122 points), and Michigan (5th; 139 points) rounded out the top five.
Gallery: (9-12-2025) Cross Country at Big Ten Preview
Earl led the charge for Northwestern in the women's 6k race, surging to the second individual victory of her collegiate cross country career in 20:14.5. Coming through just over a second back of the Girdwood, Alaska native was Anna Hightower, who clocked a 6k personal-best 20:16.0 to claim runner-up honors.
The pairing of Ava Criniti and Holly Smith posted new 6k personal bests of their own en route to placing fourth and fifth, respectively. Fresh off a win in Northwestern's season-opening meet, Criniti ran 20:19.9, with Smith coming in hot on her heels in 20:20.6.
Jackie Holman closed out the Wildcats' top five, finishing sixth at 20:27.3. Skye Ellis placed eighth in a personal-best 20:36.7, punctuating a group of eight 'Cats inside the top eight, while Maddy Whitman took 11th at 20:48.6.
Northwestern will be idle until Friday, October 3 when it makes the short trip south to Montrose Harbor in Chicago, Ill. for the Loyola Lakefront Invitational.
Paced by individual medalist Ava Earl, four Wildcats finished inside the top five as Northwestern topped the team leaderboard with a score of 18 at the Forest Akers East Golf Course. The 'Cats came in 71 points clear of event host No. 17 Michigan State (89 points). Grand Valley State (3rd; 119 points), Cincinnati (4th; 122 points), and Michigan (5th; 139 points) rounded out the top five.
Earl led the charge for Northwestern in the women's 6k race, surging to the second individual victory of her collegiate cross country career in 20:14.5. Coming through just over a second back of the Girdwood, Alaska native was Anna Hightower, who clocked a 6k personal-best 20:16.0 to claim runner-up honors.
The pairing of Ava Criniti and Holly Smith posted new 6k personal bests of their own en route to placing fourth and fifth, respectively. Fresh off a win in Northwestern's season-opening meet, Criniti ran 20:19.9, with Smith coming in hot on her heels in 20:20.6.
Jackie Holman closed out the Wildcats' top five, finishing sixth at 20:27.3. Skye Ellis placed eighth in a personal-best 20:36.7, punctuating a group of eight 'Cats inside the top eight, while Maddy Whitman took 11th at 20:48.6.
Northwestern will be idle until Friday, October 3 when it makes the short trip south to Montrose Harbor in Chicago, Ill. for the Loyola Lakefront Invitational.
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
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