Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, September 3
Iowa City, IA
Northwestern
at
Hawkeye Invitational
Photo by: Darren Miller
'Cats Shine at Hawkeye Invitational
9/3/2021 10:35:00 PM | Women's Cross Country & Track
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Northwestern cross country team kicked off their season in dominant fashion at the Hawkeye Invitational. The team earned a runner-up finish in the 11-team field. The 'Cats finished the 4K race second to Iowa State by a mere 27 points. The impressive team result and promising individual efforts from the 'Cats make for an exciting start to the season.
Senior Rachel McCardell cruised into the finish with her first victory of the fall and a time of 13:43. Junior Kalea Bartolotto (8th place - 14:18.6) and Senior Olivia Verbeke (10th place - 14:22.2) also both had stellar top-ten finishes.
"It was great to finally get back out on a cross country course…grass, hills, and all," McCardell said. "Very proud of our second place finish and can't wait to see what more this team will accomplish this season."
Northwestern lined up 18 racers in Iowa City. The pack included nine first-year 'Cats who rose to the occasion by bringing grit and enthusiasm to the meet. First-years Anna Hightower (20th place -14:37.6) and Abbie Draheim (21st place - 14:37.9) both scored points for Northwestern by finishing fourth and fifth for the 'Cats respectively.
"It was so much fun to race for Northwestern and in the US for the first time," Hightower said. "I'm happy with how I ran today and so proud of all my teammates!"
Iowa City hasn't seen the last of the 'Cats. They will be returning on Nov. 12 for their Regionals race where they'll compete for a spot at the NCAA Championships.
Individual Results
1. Rachel McCardell 13:43
8. Kalea Bartolotto 14:18.6
10. Olivia Verbeke 14:22.2
20. Anna Hightower 14:37.6
21. Abbie Draheim 14:37.9
23. Amanda Mosborg 14:40
26. Katherine Hessler 14:45.3
Team Results
1. Iowa State, 33 points
2. Northwestern, 60 points
3. Iowa, 81 points
4. Illinois State, 151 points
5. UNI, 181 points
6. Bradley, 190 points
7. Loyola, 201 points
8. Creighten, 205 points
9. Drake, 215 points
10. Illinois-Chicago, 218 points
11. Northern Illinois, 267 points
Senior Rachel McCardell cruised into the finish with her first victory of the fall and a time of 13:43. Junior Kalea Bartolotto (8th place - 14:18.6) and Senior Olivia Verbeke (10th place - 14:22.2) also both had stellar top-ten finishes.
"It was great to finally get back out on a cross country course…grass, hills, and all," McCardell said. "Very proud of our second place finish and can't wait to see what more this team will accomplish this season."
Northwestern lined up 18 racers in Iowa City. The pack included nine first-year 'Cats who rose to the occasion by bringing grit and enthusiasm to the meet. First-years Anna Hightower (20th place -14:37.6) and Abbie Draheim (21st place - 14:37.9) both scored points for Northwestern by finishing fourth and fifth for the 'Cats respectively.
"It was so much fun to race for Northwestern and in the US for the first time," Hightower said. "I'm happy with how I ran today and so proud of all my teammates!"
Iowa City hasn't seen the last of the 'Cats. They will be returning on Nov. 12 for their Regionals race where they'll compete for a spot at the NCAA Championships.
Individual Results
1. Rachel McCardell 13:43
8. Kalea Bartolotto 14:18.6
10. Olivia Verbeke 14:22.2
20. Anna Hightower 14:37.6
21. Abbie Draheim 14:37.9
23. Amanda Mosborg 14:40
26. Katherine Hessler 14:45.3
Team Results
1. Iowa State, 33 points
2. Northwestern, 60 points
3. Iowa, 81 points
4. Illinois State, 151 points
5. UNI, 181 points
6. Bradley, 190 points
7. Loyola, 201 points
8. Creighten, 205 points
9. Drake, 215 points
10. Illinois-Chicago, 218 points
11. Northern Illinois, 267 points
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
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