Northwestern University Athletics
Thursday, March 26
St. Louis, Mo.
All Day
Northwestern
at
WashU Distance Carnival
Photo by: Liz Hallmark/Northwestern Athletics
Criniti Shatters 10,000m Program Record, Leads ‘Cats At Raleigh Relays
3/27/2026 11:50:00 PM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Capala posts top 800m time in program history at WashU Distance Carnival
RALEIGH, N.C. (March 27, 2026) – Ava Criniti broke the program record in the 10,000m run to highlight an outstanding showing by Northwestern track this evening at the Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C.
Criniti and her fellow competitors braved the aftermath of strong storms that ripped through the Raleigh area prior to the start of the invitational section of the 10,000m run. Fresh off a podium finish in the 5,000m run at last month's Big Ten Indoor Championships, the Lexington, Mass. native kicked off her outdoor campaign with a standout performance, clocking a time of 33:19.10 to best the program's previous top time by over 30 seconds.
Gallery: (3-27-2026) Track at Raleigh Relays
Jackie Holman turned in a scintillating effort of her own, checking in at 33:32.10. Like Criniti, Holman cleared the previous 10,000m run program record and now finds herself ranked second in Wildcat annals in the event. Maddy Whitman rounded out a comprehensive showing by the 'Cats in the 10,000m run, racing through in 33:58.28 to move to fifth all-time at Northwestern.
Cary Drake kicked off the evening in style for the Wildcats in the 5,000m run. Out of York, Maine, Drake ascended to eighth all-time in program history with a time of 16:30.35 to secure a runner-up finish in her heat.
Olivia Capala paced the attack for Northwestern's contingent at the WashU Distance Carnival in St. Louis, Mo. Competing in Thursday's 800m run heats, Capala, who recently completed a breakout indoor season, broke the program's outdoor record in the event as she surged across in 2:11.69 en route to finishing third overall.
Kailey Zagst turned in a strong showing to lead the Wildcats' 5,000m run squad in the Gateway City. Zagst posted a 26-second personal best, taking 17th place at 16:56.71.
Gallery: (3-26-2026) Track at WashU Distance Carnival
Northwestern is back in action at the Chicagoland Championships, April 10-11, in Elmhurst, Ill.
Criniti and her fellow competitors braved the aftermath of strong storms that ripped through the Raleigh area prior to the start of the invitational section of the 10,000m run. Fresh off a podium finish in the 5,000m run at last month's Big Ten Indoor Championships, the Lexington, Mass. native kicked off her outdoor campaign with a standout performance, clocking a time of 33:19.10 to best the program's previous top time by over 30 seconds.
Jackie Holman turned in a scintillating effort of her own, checking in at 33:32.10. Like Criniti, Holman cleared the previous 10,000m run program record and now finds herself ranked second in Wildcat annals in the event. Maddy Whitman rounded out a comprehensive showing by the 'Cats in the 10,000m run, racing through in 33:58.28 to move to fifth all-time at Northwestern.
Cary Drake kicked off the evening in style for the Wildcats in the 5,000m run. Out of York, Maine, Drake ascended to eighth all-time in program history with a time of 16:30.35 to secure a runner-up finish in her heat.
Olivia Capala paced the attack for Northwestern's contingent at the WashU Distance Carnival in St. Louis, Mo. Competing in Thursday's 800m run heats, Capala, who recently completed a breakout indoor season, broke the program's outdoor record in the event as she surged across in 2:11.69 en route to finishing third overall.
Kailey Zagst turned in a strong showing to lead the Wildcats' 5,000m run squad in the Gateway City. Zagst posted a 26-second personal best, taking 17th place at 16:56.71.
Northwestern is back in action at the Chicagoland Championships, April 10-11, in Elmhurst, Ill.
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
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
