Northwestern University Athletics
Thursday, February 26
Indianapolis, Ind.
All Day
Northwestern
vs
Big Ten Indoor Championships
Photo by: Kailey Zagst/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Heads To Indianapolis For Big Ten Indoor Championships
2/25/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Wildcats to begin competition at three-day meet on Thursday
EVANSTON, Ill. (February 25, 2026) – Having recently completed the regular season portion of its indoor schedule, Northwestern track will turn its attention toward the postseason this week when it visits Indianapolis, Ind. for the Big Ten Conference Indoor Championships. The Wildcats will be competing at the indoor league meet for the first time since 1988.
Set to be hosted at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, Northwestern will open its stay at the three-day meet on Thursday when it competes in both the 5,000m run and distance medley relay. Friday's slate features preliminary round action in both the 800m run and mile run, with both event finals scheduled for Saturday, which will also include the 3,000m run.
B1G+ will provide comprehensive coverage of all three days of action. Links to watch and follow live results can be accessed above.
The 'Cats look poised for an impressive showing in the 5,000m run, an event in which they boast three of the conference's top 15 times. Ava Criniti is less than two weeks removed from clocking the Big Ten's seventh fastest time of the season, a run of 15:54.42 that saw her climb to second all-time at Northwestern in the category. Jackie Holman (9th; 16:00.60) and Maddy Whitman (13th; 16:06.50) also reside inside the top 15 after both clocking times earlier in the season that moved them inside the top five in Wildcat annals in the event.
Criniti, Holman, and Whitman are all scheduled to also see action in Saturday's 3,000m run finals, where they will be joined by Cary Drake and Anna Hightower.
Prior to taking part in the 3,000m run, Drake will join Skye Ellis in Friday's mile run preliminaries. Drake clocked a personal-best time of 4:46.99 en route to victory at the Blue Demon Alumni Classic in Chicago, Ill. Ellis, who shattered her own program record in the 800m run at the Meyo Invitational, will be making her 2025-26 debut in the event.
Olivia Capala will look to close out a banner indoor campaign when she sees action in the 800m run preliminaries on Friday afternoon. Capala has posted a personal best in three straight appearances in the event, most recently climbing to second all-time at Northwestern following a run of 2:09.00 at the Blue Demon Alumni Classic.
The University of Arkansas' Randal Tyson Track Center will serve as the host site for the NCAA Indoor Championships, March 13-14.
Set to be hosted at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, Northwestern will open its stay at the three-day meet on Thursday when it competes in both the 5,000m run and distance medley relay. Friday's slate features preliminary round action in both the 800m run and mile run, with both event finals scheduled for Saturday, which will also include the 3,000m run.
B1G+ will provide comprehensive coverage of all three days of action. Links to watch and follow live results can be accessed above.
The 'Cats look poised for an impressive showing in the 5,000m run, an event in which they boast three of the conference's top 15 times. Ava Criniti is less than two weeks removed from clocking the Big Ten's seventh fastest time of the season, a run of 15:54.42 that saw her climb to second all-time at Northwestern in the category. Jackie Holman (9th; 16:00.60) and Maddy Whitman (13th; 16:06.50) also reside inside the top 15 after both clocking times earlier in the season that moved them inside the top five in Wildcat annals in the event.
Criniti, Holman, and Whitman are all scheduled to also see action in Saturday's 3,000m run finals, where they will be joined by Cary Drake and Anna Hightower.
Prior to taking part in the 3,000m run, Drake will join Skye Ellis in Friday's mile run preliminaries. Drake clocked a personal-best time of 4:46.99 en route to victory at the Blue Demon Alumni Classic in Chicago, Ill. Ellis, who shattered her own program record in the 800m run at the Meyo Invitational, will be making her 2025-26 debut in the event.
Olivia Capala will look to close out a banner indoor campaign when she sees action in the 800m run preliminaries on Friday afternoon. Capala has posted a personal best in three straight appearances in the event, most recently climbing to second all-time at Northwestern following a run of 2:09.00 at the Blue Demon Alumni Classic.
The University of Arkansas' Randal Tyson Track Center will serve as the host site for the NCAA Indoor Championships, March 13-14.
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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