CHICAGO (October 3, 2025) – Led by a trio of runners in the top 10, No. 26 Northwestern earned an impressive runner-up finish this morning at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational in Chicago, Ill.
The Wildcats posted a team total of 59 points at the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course, trailing only No. 2 North Carolina State (34 points) in the team standings. Northwestern finished 64 points clear of third-place Gonzaga (123 points), defeating six teams ranked in the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Coaches' Poll.
For the second time in as many meets, Ava Earl led the attack for the 'Cats in the women's 6k championship race on a warm fall morning on Chicago's North Side. Fresh off a victory at the Big Ten Preview, the Girdwood, Alaska native raced through in 19:51.02 to earn a fourth-place finish.
Holly Smith checked in five seconds back of Earl, smashing her previous 6k personal best by 25 seconds en route to placing fifth in 19:55.25. Ava Criniti continued the fast start to her season by collecting her third straight top-10 finish, running a 20-second personal best of 19:58.59 to claim eighth place.
Jackie Holman put up a new 6k personal best of her own to land inside the top 20, taking 12 seconds off her previous top time at the distance to place 19th at 20:12.75. Skye Ellis rounded out the Wildcat top five with her second personal best in as many outings, crossing in 20:19.04 to finish 25th.
Northwestern was also represented in the 6k open race to close out the morning. Kailey Zagst led the way for the 'Cats, coming through in 21:36.45 to take fifth in just her second career cross country appearance. Marley McCullough (7th; 21:45.36) and Jaya Simmons (10th; 21:55.59), both of whom ran unattached, joined Zagst in the top 10.
Northwestern wraps up its regular season slate on Friday, October 17 at the Nuttycombe Invitational in Madison, Wis.
The Wildcats posted a team total of 59 points at the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course, trailing only No. 2 North Carolina State (34 points) in the team standings. Northwestern finished 64 points clear of third-place Gonzaga (123 points), defeating six teams ranked in the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Coaches' Poll.
Gallery: (10-3-2025) Cross Country at Loyola Lakefront Invite
For the second time in as many meets, Ava Earl led the attack for the 'Cats in the women's 6k championship race on a warm fall morning on Chicago's North Side. Fresh off a victory at the Big Ten Preview, the Girdwood, Alaska native raced through in 19:51.02 to earn a fourth-place finish.
Holly Smith checked in five seconds back of Earl, smashing her previous 6k personal best by 25 seconds en route to placing fifth in 19:55.25. Ava Criniti continued the fast start to her season by collecting her third straight top-10 finish, running a 20-second personal best of 19:58.59 to claim eighth place.
Jackie Holman put up a new 6k personal best of her own to land inside the top 20, taking 12 seconds off her previous top time at the distance to place 19th at 20:12.75. Skye Ellis rounded out the Wildcat top five with her second personal best in as many outings, crossing in 20:19.04 to finish 25th.
Northwestern was also represented in the 6k open race to close out the morning. Kailey Zagst led the way for the 'Cats, coming through in 21:36.45 to take fifth in just her second career cross country appearance. Marley McCullough (7th; 21:45.36) and Jaya Simmons (10th; 21:55.59), both of whom ran unattached, joined Zagst in the top 10.
Northwestern wraps up its regular season slate on Friday, October 17 at the Nuttycombe Invitational in Madison, Wis.