Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, September 4
University of Wisconsin-Madison
TBD
Northwestern
vs
Badger Season Opener
#B1GCats Open Campaign At Friday's Badger Season Opener
9/3/2015 11:01:00 PM | Women's Cross Country & Track
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern is paying a visit to their northerly neighbors in the first meet of the season. On Friday (Sept. 4), the Wildcats will participate in the Badger Season Opener, hosted by the University of Wisconsin. The meet will be held at Wisconsin's Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course and is slated to begin at 5:00 p.m. CT.
Head coach 'A Havahla Haynes, who is starting her first season leading Northwestern, has seen her team place an importance on offseason training.
"The level of commitment every one of the athletes have placed on their training, nutrition and sleep over the last two weeks has been surprising," she said. "Twenty-four women with the same objectives is a great place to start."
This is the third year in a row that the 'Cats have participated in this event, including a first-place team finish in 2013.
Last year's second-place performance was paced by Jena Pianin, who placed fourth overall in the 4K race with a time of 14:12. Andrea Ostenso (14:21) and Camille Blackman (14:37) also return for the Wildcats.
Haynes, who was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree while running for the University of Wisconsin, is looking forward to the team's first test.
"As a coach, you want every athlete to be successful and see positive outcomes from consistent training," she said. "If we depart from the competition having run together for 3,000 meters with a quickening of pace over the last 1,000 meters, it will be a successful weekend."
This meet is the first of six for the Wildcats this season. After Friday's competition, Northwestern will have a week off until their next matchup on Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Midwest Open hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
Head coach 'A Havahla Haynes, who is starting her first season leading Northwestern, has seen her team place an importance on offseason training.
"The level of commitment every one of the athletes have placed on their training, nutrition and sleep over the last two weeks has been surprising," she said. "Twenty-four women with the same objectives is a great place to start."
This is the third year in a row that the 'Cats have participated in this event, including a first-place team finish in 2013.
Last year's second-place performance was paced by Jena Pianin, who placed fourth overall in the 4K race with a time of 14:12. Andrea Ostenso (14:21) and Camille Blackman (14:37) also return for the Wildcats.
Haynes, who was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree while running for the University of Wisconsin, is looking forward to the team's first test.
"As a coach, you want every athlete to be successful and see positive outcomes from consistent training," she said. "If we depart from the competition having run together for 3,000 meters with a quickening of pace over the last 1,000 meters, it will be a successful weekend."
This meet is the first of six for the Wildcats this season. After Friday's competition, Northwestern will have a week off until their next matchup on Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Midwest Open hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
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