Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, May 1
Madison, Wis.
4:05 p.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Badger Challenge
Photo by: Kailey Zagst/Northwestern Athletics
Drake Dazzles, Highlights Big Night For ‘Cats At Badger Challenge
5/1/2026 9:20:00 PM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Northwestern tallies three program records to close outdoor regular season
MADISON, Wis. (May 1, 2026) – Led by a breakout performance from Cary Drake, Northwestern track posted a trio of new program records this evening at the Badger Challenge in Madison, Wis.
Drake kicked off the Wildcats' stay in the Badger State in style, as she broke her three-week-old program record in the 3,000m steeplechase. Bolstered by a 1:17.15 split over her final 400m, Drake clocked a 25-second personal best, finishing first overall in 10:04.15 at the University of Wisconsin's McClimon Track & Soccer Complex. The York, Maine product's time from this evening unofficially ranks second in the Big Ten Conference and 10th in the NCAA West Region.
Making the first 3,000m steeplechase outing of her career, Anna Hightower rocketed up to second all-time at Northwestern in the event following a time of 10:14.57 that has her inside the top 25 on the regional leaderboard.
Skye Ellis turned in another outstanding showing in the 1,500m en route to taking well over two seconds off her own program record in the event. Out of Jan Juc, Australia, Ellis posted a time of 4:14.55 en route to a runner-up finish.
Running alongside Ellis in the 1,500m run's first heat, Ava Earl placed sixth (4:35.80), while Katherine Klimek (4:40.99) and Marley McCullough (4:41.32) finished first and second, respectively, in the night's closing heat.
Gallery: (5-1-2026) Track at Badger Challenge
For the second time in as many outings, Olivia Capala surpassed her 800m run program record. The Denville, N.J. native came within a half-second of a new overall personal best, clocking in at 2:09.45 to finish fourth overall.
Ava Criniti paced the 'Cats in the 5,000m run, as she recorded a three-second overall personal best of 15:51.38 to finish atop the leaderboard. Criniti, who now sits fourth all-time on the program's outdoor record board, ran the event's top 400m split (1:13.88) on her final lap of the evening.
Kailey Zagst joined Criniti in setting a new 5,000m run personal best, as she shaved nearly 18 seconds off her previous top to finish fourth in 16:38.83. Mia Mraz also battled her way inside the top 10, placing seventh with an outdoor personal-best 16:47.73.
With the regular season portion of its outdoor schedule now complete, Northwestern will turn its attention toward the Big Ten Conference Outdoor Championships, May 15-17, in Lincoln, Neb.
Drake kicked off the Wildcats' stay in the Badger State in style, as she broke her three-week-old program record in the 3,000m steeplechase. Bolstered by a 1:17.15 split over her final 400m, Drake clocked a 25-second personal best, finishing first overall in 10:04.15 at the University of Wisconsin's McClimon Track & Soccer Complex. The York, Maine product's time from this evening unofficially ranks second in the Big Ten Conference and 10th in the NCAA West Region.
Making the first 3,000m steeplechase outing of her career, Anna Hightower rocketed up to second all-time at Northwestern in the event following a time of 10:14.57 that has her inside the top 25 on the regional leaderboard.
Skye Ellis turned in another outstanding showing in the 1,500m en route to taking well over two seconds off her own program record in the event. Out of Jan Juc, Australia, Ellis posted a time of 4:14.55 en route to a runner-up finish.
Running alongside Ellis in the 1,500m run's first heat, Ava Earl placed sixth (4:35.80), while Katherine Klimek (4:40.99) and Marley McCullough (4:41.32) finished first and second, respectively, in the night's closing heat.
For the second time in as many outings, Olivia Capala surpassed her 800m run program record. The Denville, N.J. native came within a half-second of a new overall personal best, clocking in at 2:09.45 to finish fourth overall.
Ava Criniti paced the 'Cats in the 5,000m run, as she recorded a three-second overall personal best of 15:51.38 to finish atop the leaderboard. Criniti, who now sits fourth all-time on the program's outdoor record board, ran the event's top 400m split (1:13.88) on her final lap of the evening.
Kailey Zagst joined Criniti in setting a new 5,000m run personal best, as she shaved nearly 18 seconds off her previous top to finish fourth in 16:38.83. Mia Mraz also battled her way inside the top 10, placing seventh with an outdoor personal-best 16:47.73.
With the regular season portion of its outdoor schedule now complete, Northwestern will turn its attention toward the Big Ten Conference Outdoor Championships, May 15-17, in Lincoln, Neb.
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
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
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