EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern women's cross country team took to the track and competed against 12 Big Ten rivals on Friday and Saturday, April 24-25 at the Fighting Illini Relays.
On Friday, Clare Severe kicked off the action in the 1500 meters, running 4:31.32 in the first heat, and securing herself a top-five finish in the field of 42. First-year Emily Casaclang followed with a gutsy performance of her own, running 4:37.78 in the second heat.
Capping off the first day of competition, junior Rachel McCardell led the way for the 'Cats with a 16:35.88 in the 5,000 meters as she crossed the line in 5th place, narrowly missing her previous best. Right behind her was sophomore Kalea Bartolotto, who found another gear late to improve upon her previous best by nearly four seconds and clock in at 16:48.58.
Saturday's schedule of events had the 'Cats taking to the track with baton in hand. Competing first in 4x1600 meter relay, the team of Severe, McCardell, Casaclang, Bartolotto battled over four miles against Big Ten foes to secure a 4th place finish with a time of 20:00.66. Returning to the track for the final test of the weekend, the team of McCardell, Casaclang, Severe and Olivia Verbeke toed the line in the Distance Medley Relay. The 'Cats ran a time of 12:30.51 and finished 8th overall.
The Wildcats' next competition will be the Big Ten Open II in Madison on May 8th.
On Friday, Clare Severe kicked off the action in the 1500 meters, running 4:31.32 in the first heat, and securing herself a top-five finish in the field of 42. First-year Emily Casaclang followed with a gutsy performance of her own, running 4:37.78 in the second heat.
Capping off the first day of competition, junior Rachel McCardell led the way for the 'Cats with a 16:35.88 in the 5,000 meters as she crossed the line in 5th place, narrowly missing her previous best. Right behind her was sophomore Kalea Bartolotto, who found another gear late to improve upon her previous best by nearly four seconds and clock in at 16:48.58.
Saturday's schedule of events had the 'Cats taking to the track with baton in hand. Competing first in 4x1600 meter relay, the team of Severe, McCardell, Casaclang, Bartolotto battled over four miles against Big Ten foes to secure a 4th place finish with a time of 20:00.66. Returning to the track for the final test of the weekend, the team of McCardell, Casaclang, Severe and Olivia Verbeke toed the line in the Distance Medley Relay. The 'Cats ran a time of 12:30.51 and finished 8th overall.
The Wildcats' next competition will be the Big Ten Open II in Madison on May 8th.