SEATTLE, Wash. – The 'Cats traveled a small group out to the West Coast to compete at the University of Washington's UW Invitational on January 27 and 28. Rachel McCardell was on pace to break the school record in the 3,000m until she took a hard fall midway through the race. Impressively, she worked her way back up through the competition to finish in eighth place with a time of 9:17.64. This performance was the second fastest time in school and is currently the second fastest time in the Big Ten Conference. Ava Earl ran a brilliant race as well, finishing with the third fastest time in school history of 9:27.44, which is the seventh fastest in the Big Ten. Anna Hightower, who also took a fall midway through the race, ran an impressive 9:44.78. She currently sits ninth on Northwestern's all-time 3,000m list.
In the 5,000m, Kalea Bartolotto placed eighth in 16:42.70 which is the 5th-fastest time in school history. This performance ranks sixth in the Big Ten.
Next up, the 'Cats look forward to competing on Friday and Saturday at Notre Dame's Meyo Invitational.