Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, January 10
Chicago, Ill.
12:25 p.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Phoenix Invitational
Photo by: Kailey Zagst/Northwestern Athletics
‘Cats Rack Up Four Event Titles At Phoenix Invitational
1/10/2026 4:55:00 PM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Capala captures second consecutive 800m run victory
CHICAGO (January 10, 2026) – Returning to action for the first time in the new calendar year, Northwestern track came away with four event titles as it resumed its indoor schedule this afternoon at the Phoenix Invitational in Chicago, Ill.
Olivia Capala continued the fast start to her first-year campaign in the 800m run inside the University of Chicago's Henry Crown Fieldhouse. For the second time in as many outings, Capala, a native of Denville, N.J., turned in a dominant effort en route to victory, finishing first overall in 2:14.62 while outdistancing her next closest competitor by nearly six seconds. Mallory Grubb joined Capala in the top three, running 2:21.88 to place third.
The Wildcats turned in a comprehensive effort in the 3,000m run, laying claim to the top seven spots on the leaderboard. Mia Mraz paced the attack, using a 10-second personal best of 9:54.50 to bring home the event title. Cary Drake impressed in her collegiate debut at the distance, coming in two seconds back of Mraz to earn a runner-up finish in 9:56.47.
Competing in the mile run to open the day, Allegra Massey used an inspired final kick to surge to a first-place finish in 5:10.81, a three-second improvement from her season-opening showing at the Cougar Alumni Open last month.
The quartet of Ava Criniti, Anna Hightower, Jackie Holman, and Maddy Whitman closed out the day in style for the 'Cats, winning the 4x400m relay with a time of 4:20.45.
Northwestern is back in action at the end of the coming week, January 16-17, when it heads to the Pacific Northwest for the UW Preview in Seattle, Wash. A group of Wildcats will also be in action closer to home at the Pat Heenan Invitational in Naperville, Ill. on Saturday, January 17.
Olivia Capala continued the fast start to her first-year campaign in the 800m run inside the University of Chicago's Henry Crown Fieldhouse. For the second time in as many outings, Capala, a native of Denville, N.J., turned in a dominant effort en route to victory, finishing first overall in 2:14.62 while outdistancing her next closest competitor by nearly six seconds. Mallory Grubb joined Capala in the top three, running 2:21.88 to place third.
The Wildcats turned in a comprehensive effort in the 3,000m run, laying claim to the top seven spots on the leaderboard. Mia Mraz paced the attack, using a 10-second personal best of 9:54.50 to bring home the event title. Cary Drake impressed in her collegiate debut at the distance, coming in two seconds back of Mraz to earn a runner-up finish in 9:56.47.
Competing in the mile run to open the day, Allegra Massey used an inspired final kick to surge to a first-place finish in 5:10.81, a three-second improvement from her season-opening showing at the Cougar Alumni Open last month.
The quartet of Ava Criniti, Anna Hightower, Jackie Holman, and Maddy Whitman closed out the day in style for the 'Cats, winning the 4x400m relay with a time of 4:20.45.
Northwestern is back in action at the end of the coming week, January 16-17, when it heads to the Pacific Northwest for the UW Preview in Seattle, Wash. A group of Wildcats will also be in action closer to home at the Pat Heenan Invitational in Naperville, Ill. on Saturday, January 17.
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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