No. 22 Northwestern Treks North Friday For Nuttycombe Invitational

EVANSTON, Ill. (October 8, 2026) – No. 22 Northwestern cross country will close out the regular season portion of its 2026 schedule on Friday morning at the Nuttycombe Invitational in Madison, Wis.

The ‘Cats will kickstart the meet’s action at 10:30 a.m. CT, competing in the women’s “A” race at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course.  Northwestern will also be represented in the women’s “B” race at 11:50 a.m. CT.  B1G+ will provide live coverage in partnership with RunnerSpace.  Links to watch and follow live results can be accessed above.

Widely regarded as one of the premier dates on the collegiate cross country calendar, the 2026 edition of the Nuttycombe Invitational features a stacked field with 17 teams that appear in the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Coaches’ Poll.  The Wildcats will be joined by seven Big Ten Conference foes, a group that includes event host Wisconsin, No. 21 Minnesota, No. 23 Washington, and No. 29 Penn State.

Northwestern was last in action on September 25, when it picked up a third-place finish at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational on Chicago’s North Side.  Three Wildcats placed inside the top 25 at the meet, a trio that was led by Ava Criniti, who ran a 6k personal-best 19:42.2 to secure ninth on the individual leaderboard.  Cary Drake clocked the first sub-20 minute 6k time of her collegiate career, placing 16th in 19:49.5, while Skye Ellis battled to finish 23rd at 19:58.1.

Head coach Jill Miller’s team enjoyed a historic showing at last season’s Nuttycombe Invitational.  Northwestern placed fifth overall, the program’s top finish at the prestigious meet, as it defeated 13 ranked opponents.  Criniti led the Wildcat attack on the morning, running 20:21.1 to come in 23^rd overall.

Following the Nuttycombe Invitational, Northwestern will return to Madison, Wis., in three weeks’ time for the Big Ten Conference Championships on Friday, October 30.  Big Ten Network is set to provide comprehensive coverage, with the women’s 6k championship race scheduled for 10:35 a.m. CT at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course.