‘Cats Earn Runner-Up Finish In 2026 Debut At Badger Classic‘Cats Earn Runner-Up Finish In 2026 Debut At Badger Classic
Wisconsin Athletics

‘Cats Earn Runner-Up Finish In 2026 Debut At Badger Classic

Final Results Opens in a new window

MADISON, Wis. (September 4, 2026) – Following multiple delays due to inclement weather, No. 11 Northwestern cross country turned in a team effort en route to placing second overall at the season-opening Badger Classic in Madison, Wis.

Making their first of three appearances this season at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course, the Wildcats put on a clinic in pack running, with their six runners coming in across a span of three-tenths of a second.

“I love how adaptable and disciplined our team was today. After four hours of weather delays, they found a great energy together as a pack and learned a tremendous amount about the course to prepare for the Nuttycombe Invitational and Big Ten Conference Championships.”

Jill Miller - Northwestern Cross Country Head Coach

Fresh off an impressive outdoor track season, Cary Drake was the first Wildcat across the finish line in the women’s 6k race, clocking in at 22:43.4 to place sixth overall.  Hot on her heels was the trio of Ava Criniti (7th), Jackie Holman (8th), and Eliza Nicholson (9th), who all came through with a time of 22:43.5.

Kailey Zagst secured a top-10 finish at 22:43.6 (10th), while Sophie Magson rounded out the Northwestern top six, crossing in 22:43.7 to place 12th overall.

Northwestern will be back in action in just over two weeks, traveling to Terre Haute, Ind. for the John McNichols Invitational on Saturday, September 19.