Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, December 5
Chicago, Ill.
5:40 p.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Cougar Alumni Open
Photo by: John Konstantaras/Northwestern Athletics
‘Cats Get Indoor Campaign Off To Fast Start At Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener
12/6/2025 6:30:00 PM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Northwestern posts five new top-10 marks to program’s all-time indoor record boards
BOSTON, Mass. (December 6, 2025) – In a day highlighted by five new additions to the program's all-time indoor record boards, Northwestern track got its 2025-26 indoor season off to a flying start today at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener in Boston, Mass.
Anna Hightower opened the afternoon in style for the Wildcats inside the Boston University Track & Tennis Center. Competing amidst a loaded field in the 3,000m run, Hightower posted a 20-second personal-best time of 9:10.78 to finish sixth overall. That mark sees the Arnhem, Netherlands product climb to third all-time at Northwestern in the event.
The 'Cats closed out the day with multiple impressive performances in the 5,000m run. Leading the line was Maddy Whitman, who shaved 45 seconds off her overall personal best in the event, running 16:06.50 to climb to third in Wildcat annals. Ava Criniti, a native of nearby Lexington, Mass., moved into the No. 4 spot behind Whitman following a time of 16:11.46, a 33-second overall personal best.
Ava Earl and Jackie Holman checked in within a second of one another in the 5,000m run, moving to sixth and seventh, respectively, at Northwestern in the event. Earl came through in 16:14.29, while Holman was close behind in 16:15.21, the latter time representing an overall personal best of 30-plus seconds.
A contingent of Wildcats was also in action closer to home at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center at Gately Park on Chicago's South Side for the Cougar Alumni Open on Friday evening.
Olivia Capala impressed in her Northwestern debut, cruising to victory in the 800m run in 2:18.70. Mallory Grubb (4th; 5:11.77) and Allegra Massey (5th; 5:13.20) earned top-five finishes in the mile run, while Kailey Zagst (7th; 10:09.90) and Marley McCullough (8th; 10:10.20) battled inside the top eight in the 3,000m run.
Gallery: (12-5-2025) Track at Cougar Alumni Open
Following a month-long hiatus from competition, Northwestern will return to action on Saturday, January 10 at the Phoenix Invitational in Chicago, Ill.
Anna Hightower opened the afternoon in style for the Wildcats inside the Boston University Track & Tennis Center. Competing amidst a loaded field in the 3,000m run, Hightower posted a 20-second personal-best time of 9:10.78 to finish sixth overall. That mark sees the Arnhem, Netherlands product climb to third all-time at Northwestern in the event.
The 'Cats closed out the day with multiple impressive performances in the 5,000m run. Leading the line was Maddy Whitman, who shaved 45 seconds off her overall personal best in the event, running 16:06.50 to climb to third in Wildcat annals. Ava Criniti, a native of nearby Lexington, Mass., moved into the No. 4 spot behind Whitman following a time of 16:11.46, a 33-second overall personal best.
Ava Earl and Jackie Holman checked in within a second of one another in the 5,000m run, moving to sixth and seventh, respectively, at Northwestern in the event. Earl came through in 16:14.29, while Holman was close behind in 16:15.21, the latter time representing an overall personal best of 30-plus seconds.
A contingent of Wildcats was also in action closer to home at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center at Gately Park on Chicago's South Side for the Cougar Alumni Open on Friday evening.
Olivia Capala impressed in her Northwestern debut, cruising to victory in the 800m run in 2:18.70. Mallory Grubb (4th; 5:11.77) and Allegra Massey (5th; 5:13.20) earned top-five finishes in the mile run, while Kailey Zagst (7th; 10:09.90) and Marley McCullough (8th; 10:10.20) battled inside the top eight in the 3,000m run.
Following a month-long hiatus from competition, Northwestern will return to action on Saturday, January 10 at the Phoenix Invitational in Chicago, Ill.
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
/ Women's Cross Country & Track
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