Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, October 17
Madison, Wis.
11:50 a.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Nuttycombe Invitational
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
No. 18 Northwestern Set For Nuttycombe Invitational On Friday
10/16/2025 10:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Stacked field for event features 18 nationally ranked teams
EVANSTON, Ill. (October 16, 2025) – Just over a week removed from receiving its highest national ranking in program history, No. 18 Northwestern cross country will close out the regular season portion of its 2025 schedule on Friday at the prestigious Nuttycombe Invitational in Madison, Wis.
Set to be hosted at the University of Wisconsin's Thomas Zimmer Championship Course, competition in the women's championship 6k race will get underway at 11:50 a.m. CT. RunnerSpace will provide streaming coverage of the meet, with links to watch and follow live results available above.
Currently residing at No. 18 in the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Coaches' Poll, Northwestern highlights a loaded 31-team field that features 18 nationally ranked teams, a group that includes five top-10 foes.
Northwestern's recent climb in the national poll was fueled by a runner-up showing at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational in its most recent action on October 3. The 'Cats, who defeated six nationally ranked teams at the meet, posted a team score of 59 points at the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course to come in back of only No. 2 North Carolina State (34 points) in the final team standings.
On the individual front, three Wildcats finished inside the top 10, a trio led by Ava Earl, who raced through in 19:51.02 to finish fourth overall. Holly Smith (5th; 19:55.25) and Ava Criniti (8th; 19:58.59) both posted new 6k personal bests en route to joining Earl inside the top 10.
Following the Nuttycombe Invitational, Northwestern will set its sights on the postseason, a stretch that begins on Friday, October 31 at the Big Ten Conference Cross Country Championships in East Lansing, Mich.
Set to be hosted at the University of Wisconsin's Thomas Zimmer Championship Course, competition in the women's championship 6k race will get underway at 11:50 a.m. CT. RunnerSpace will provide streaming coverage of the meet, with links to watch and follow live results available above.
Currently residing at No. 18 in the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Coaches' Poll, Northwestern highlights a loaded 31-team field that features 18 nationally ranked teams, a group that includes five top-10 foes.
Northwestern's recent climb in the national poll was fueled by a runner-up showing at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational in its most recent action on October 3. The 'Cats, who defeated six nationally ranked teams at the meet, posted a team score of 59 points at the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course to come in back of only No. 2 North Carolina State (34 points) in the final team standings.
On the individual front, three Wildcats finished inside the top 10, a trio led by Ava Earl, who raced through in 19:51.02 to finish fourth overall. Holly Smith (5th; 19:55.25) and Ava Criniti (8th; 19:58.59) both posted new 6k personal bests en route to joining Earl inside the top 10.
Following the Nuttycombe Invitational, Northwestern will set its sights on the postseason, a stretch that begins on Friday, October 31 at the Big Ten Conference Cross Country Championships in East Lansing, Mich.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
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