Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Darren Miller
McCardell Dominates, 'Cats Place Second at Red Bird Invitational
9/18/2021 2:22:00 PM | Women's Cross Country & Track
NORMAL, ILL - The Wildcats Cross Country team maintained their early season momentum at the Redbird Invitation with another second place finish. The race was the first 6K of the season and the results revealed the cross country program's significant progress made under Coach Jill Miller.
In 88 degree weather, the 'Cats showed up to Illinois State's Weibring Golf Club with a calm confidence. The team executed their pack running plan to shave points off the team score by an effective margin. Giving the University of Illinois (currently ranked 17th in the nation) a run for their money, the Northwestern women finished just nine points behind.
In 2019, the 'Cats competed at the Redbird Invitational, finishing fifth as a team. First-year at the time, Kalea Bartolotto, lead the charge and finished in 22nd place. Today, the 'Cats not only secured a second place finish as a team, but also placed all scoring runners within the top 22 individuals showing tremendous progress within the program. "I think that our team's progress can be attributed to how amazing (Coach) Jill is," Bartolotto said. "With two years of her training under our belts we were really able to go out there and show the world how far we have come. Despite the heat our team was able to go out there, work together, and absolutely kill it."
Rachel McCardell got another win under her belt while finishing with a stellar time of 20:20—a new PR for the dominating senior. McCardell was followed by junior Kalea Bartolotto, who also cruised in with a new PR of 20:50 and a third place finish. True first year's Abbie Draheim, Maggie Mason, Deepti Choudhury, and Whitney Currie all made an impressive 6K debut while placing in the top 30 of the field.
"I am beyond excited about our team's finish today," McCardell said. "We've put in a lot of work this past year, and I think it really showed in this race. We were able to compete with some teams that historically have had our number and it's only September. Lots to look forward to in the coming months."
Team Results:
1. Illinois, 43 points
2. Northwestern, 52 points
3. Loyola, 62 points
4. Illinois State, 134 points
5. Southern Illinois, 179 points
6. Marquette, 181 points
7. Southern Illinois, 194 points
8. Northern Iowa, 209 points
9. Valparaiso, 331 points
10. SE Missouri, 347 points
11. SIU Edwardsville, 362 points
12. Inc. DePaul, Only 4 finishers
Individual Results:
1. Rachel McCardell 20:20
3. Kalea Bartolotto 20:50
7. Lotte van der Pol 20:59
20. Abbie Draheim 21:51
25. Amanda Mosborg 22:00
27. Maggie Mason 22:05
29. Deepti Choudury 22:13.2
30. Whitney Currie 22:13.5
40. Hannah Hall 22:32
43. Katherine Hessler 22:35
78. Elizabeth Bulat 23:35
In 88 degree weather, the 'Cats showed up to Illinois State's Weibring Golf Club with a calm confidence. The team executed their pack running plan to shave points off the team score by an effective margin. Giving the University of Illinois (currently ranked 17th in the nation) a run for their money, the Northwestern women finished just nine points behind.
In 2019, the 'Cats competed at the Redbird Invitational, finishing fifth as a team. First-year at the time, Kalea Bartolotto, lead the charge and finished in 22nd place. Today, the 'Cats not only secured a second place finish as a team, but also placed all scoring runners within the top 22 individuals showing tremendous progress within the program. "I think that our team's progress can be attributed to how amazing (Coach) Jill is," Bartolotto said. "With two years of her training under our belts we were really able to go out there and show the world how far we have come. Despite the heat our team was able to go out there, work together, and absolutely kill it."
Rachel McCardell got another win under her belt while finishing with a stellar time of 20:20—a new PR for the dominating senior. McCardell was followed by junior Kalea Bartolotto, who also cruised in with a new PR of 20:50 and a third place finish. True first year's Abbie Draheim, Maggie Mason, Deepti Choudhury, and Whitney Currie all made an impressive 6K debut while placing in the top 30 of the field.
"I am beyond excited about our team's finish today," McCardell said. "We've put in a lot of work this past year, and I think it really showed in this race. We were able to compete with some teams that historically have had our number and it's only September. Lots to look forward to in the coming months."
Team Results:
1. Illinois, 43 points
2. Northwestern, 52 points
3. Loyola, 62 points
4. Illinois State, 134 points
5. Southern Illinois, 179 points
6. Marquette, 181 points
7. Southern Illinois, 194 points
8. Northern Iowa, 209 points
9. Valparaiso, 331 points
10. SE Missouri, 347 points
11. SIU Edwardsville, 362 points
12. Inc. DePaul, Only 4 finishers
Individual Results:
1. Rachel McCardell 20:20
3. Kalea Bartolotto 20:50
7. Lotte van der Pol 20:59
20. Abbie Draheim 21:51
25. Amanda Mosborg 22:00
27. Maggie Mason 22:05
29. Deepti Choudury 22:13.2
30. Whitney Currie 22:13.5
40. Hannah Hall 22:32
43. Katherine Hessler 22:35
78. Elizabeth Bulat 23:35
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
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