Big Ten Conference Women’s Cross Country News

Big Ten Well-Represented at World Athletics Championships Tokyo ‘25

Big Ten Conference — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, ILL. - After a dominant 2024-25 track & field season that saw the Big Ten take home three NCAA Championships, the World Athletics Championships will be full of athletes with Big Ten ties.

In total, 46 athletes on the women’s side and 34 athletes on the men’s side affiliated with Big Ten universities qualified for the Championships. Team USA’s roster will include 19 current and former Big Ten athletes, and those not competing for Team USA span internationally, representing 27 additional countries from South Africa to Greece.

Of the qualifying athletes, 15 are set to compete in the Big Ten during the upcoming 2025-26 cross country/track & field season.

The Championships begin on Sept. 13 and will be available via streaming on NBC and Peacock. More than 2,000 athletes from 200 countries will travel to Tokyo, Japan to take part in one of the world’s biggest sporting events. For more information on the World Athletics Championships Tokyo ‘25, click here.

Full Qualifying List:

Athlete	School	Year	Event	Country
Rose Yeboah	ILL	CURRENT	High Jump	GHA
Deanna Price	ILL (Coach)	2022-Current	Hammer	USA
Ayden Owens-Delerme	ILL (Coach)	2024-Current	Decathlon	PR
Rikkoi Brathwaite	IND	2018-2022	100m	IVB
Laulauga Tausaga	IOWA	2017-2021	Discus	USA
Thea LaFond	MD	2012-2015	Triple Jump	DMA
Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons	MD	2013-2016	Discus	NGR
Micha Powell	MD	2014-2017	4x400mRelays	CAN
Simon Hansen	MD	2018	100m	DEN
Savannah Sutherland	MICH	2022-2025	400m, 400mHurdles	CAN
Cindy Sember	MICH	2006-2009	100mH	GBR
Aasia Laurencin	MICH	2021-2025	100mH	LCA
Charles Godfred	MINN	CURRENT	Long Jump	NGR
Angelos Mantzouranis	MINN	CURRENT	Hammer Throw	GRE
Kostas Zaltos	MINN	2020-2025	Hammer Throw	GRE
Nayoka Clunis	MINN	2017-2020	Hammer Throw	JAM
Heath Baldwin	MICH/MSU/ILL (Coach)	2019-21/ 2021-24/ 2024-current	Decathlon	USA
Axelina Johansson	NEB	2021-2025	Shot Put	SWE
Rhema Otabor	NEB	2023-2024	Javelin	BAH
Kaiwan Culmer	NEB	2015-2018	Triple Jump	BAH
Nick Percy	NEB	2015-2018	Discus	GBR
Till Steinforth	NEB	CURRENT	Decathlon	GER
Raevyn Rogers	ORE	2015-2017	800m	USA
Jaida Ross	ORE	2021-025	Shot Put	USA
Susan Ejore	ORE	2017-2020	800m	KEN
Jessica Hull	ORE	2015-2019	1500m	AUS
Klaudia Kazimierska	ORE	2022-2025	1500m	POL
Wilma Nielsen	ORE	CURRENT	1500m	SWE
Silan Ayyildiz	ORE	CURRENT	1500m	TURK
Jorinde Van Klinken	ORE	2022-2023	Shot Put, Discus	NED
Jillian Weir	ORE	2013-2015	Hammer	CAN
Cole Hocker	ORE	2019-2021	1500m	USA
Kyree King	ORE	2017	4x100m Relays	USA
Matthew Erickson	ORE	2022-2025	800m	CAN
Mine De Klerk	ORE/NEB	CURRENT	Shot Put	RSA
Duan Asemota	OSU	2016-2018	4x400m Relay	CAN
Leah Bertrand	OSU	2022-2025	100m, 200m	TTO
Fatouma Conde	OSU	CURRENT	200m	GIN
Anavia Battle	OSU	2018-2022	200m	USA
Sade Olatoye	OSU	2016-2021	Hammer	NGR
Julia Paternain	PSU	2019	Marathon	URU
Joe Kovacs	PSU	2008-2011	Shot Put	USA
Handal Robin	PSU	CURRENT	800m	VIN
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi	PUR	2013-2016	Shot Put	NGR
Yanla Ndjip-Nyemeck	UCLA	2022-2025	100m Hurdles	BEL
Jessie Maduka	UCLA	2015-2018	Triple Jump	GER
Sondre Guttormsen	UCLA	2019	Pole Vault	NOR
Stamatia Scarvelis	UCLA	2016	Hammer	GRE
Rai Benjamin	UCLA/USC	2016/2017-18	400m Hurdles	USA
TeeTee Terry	USC	2018-2021	100m,4x100m Relays	USA
Anna Cockrell	USC	2017-2021	400m Hurdles	USA
Jasmine Jones	USC	2021-2025	400m Hurdles	USA
Bailey Lear	USC	2019-2023	4x400m Relays	USA
Caisja Chandler	USC	2023	4x100m Relays	USA
Yemi John	USC	CURRENT	400m	GB
Lorea Ibarzabal	USC	2016-017	800m	ESP
Amalie Iuel	USC	2014-2017	400m Hurdles, 4x400m Relays	NOR
Ashley Erasmus	USC	CURRENT	Shot Put	RSA
Nicole Yeargin	USC	2021	4x400m Relays	GBR
Trey Knight	USC	2021-2022	Hammer	USA
Johnnie Blockburger	USC	CURRENT	4x400mRelays (mixed)	USA
Aaron Brown	USC	2011-2014	200m, 4x100m Relays	CAN
Andre de Grasse	USC	2015	100m, 200m, 4x100m Relays	CAN
Tade Ojora	USC	2019-2023	110m Hurdles	GBR
Jordan Scott	USC	2021	Triple Jump	JAM
Nick Ponzio	USC	2015-2018	High Jump	ITA
Amanda Moll	WASH	CURRENT	Pole Vault	USA
Hana Moll	WASH	CURRENT	Pole Vault	USA
Sophie O'Sullivan	WASH	2021-2025	1500m	IRL
Amina Maatoug	WASH	CURRENT	1500m	NED
Izzi Batt-Doyle	WASH	2016-2019	10,000m, Marathon	AUS
Justin O'Toole	WASH	2024-25	800m	CAN
Kieran Lumb	WASH	2021-2023	1500m	CAN
Brian Fay	WASH	2021-2023	5,000m	IRL
Ed Trippas	WASH	2023	3,000m Steeple Chase	AUS
Gianna Woodruff	WASH/USC	2012-2015/2021	400m Hurdles	PAN
Abdullahi Hassan	WIS	2021-2024	800m	CAN
Olivier Hoare	WIS	2016-20	1500m	AUS
Mohammed Ahmed	WIS	2010-2014	5,000m, 10,000m	CAN

Iowa Sweeps Weekly Women’s Cross Country Honors

Big Ten Conference — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its Women’s Cross Country weekly award winners for the week of Sept. 3-10, 2025.

Athlete of the Week
Elena Torres, IOWA
Sophomore – Loveland, Colorado – Loveland High School – Major: Occupational Therapy

Placed first in the Hawkeye Invitational with a time of 13:44.6
Her time was a personal-best and moved her to third all-time at Iowa
Last Iowa Athlete of the Week: Kayla Beattie (Sept. 11, 2012)

Freshman of the Week
Ella Magallan, IOWA
Freshman – Burleson, Texas – Burleson Centennial High School – Major: Journalism & Mass Communication

Ran a time of 14:25.1 in the 4K at the Hawkeye Invitational
Her time was good for 8^th place in her collegiate debut
Last Iowa Freshman of the Week: Elena Torres (Oct. 9, 2024)

2025 Women’s Cross Country Athletes of the Week

Sept. 3
Athlete: Ava Criniti, NW
Freshman: Katie Dutko, MD

Sept. 10
Athlete: Elena Torres, IOWA
Freshman: Ella Magallan, IOWA

Northwestern, Maryland Capture Weekly Women’s Cross Country Awards

Big Ten Conference — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its Women’s Cross Country weekly award winners for the week of Aug. 27-Sept. 3, 2025.

Athlete of the Week
Ava Criniti, Northwestern
RS-Sophomore – Lexington, Mass. – Lexington High School– Major: Undeclared

Picked up her first collegiate victory at the Cowboy Preview
Finished the 3k with a time of 10:13.1
Spurred by Criniti’s efforts, Northwestern laid claim to the top five spots on the individual leaderboard
Last Northwestern Athlete of the Week: Rachel McCardell (Sept. 22, 2021)

Freshman of the Week
Katie Dutko, Maryland
Freshman – Rockville, Maryland – Walter Johnson High School – Major: Kinesiology

Dutko was the top freshman finisher for the Terps at the Trials of Miles Opening Night XC25 meet
Her time of 18:19.7 on the 5k course earned her 10^th overall in the meet and was the third best finisher for Maryland
Last Maryland Freshman of the Week: Eva Rogers (Sept. 4, 2024)

2025 Women’s Cross Country Athletes of the Week
Sept. 3
Athlete: Ava Criniti, NW
Freshman: Katie Dutko, MD

Six Big Ten Schools Featured in USTFCCCA's Preseason Women's Cross Country Poll

Big Ten Communications — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Big Ten Conference Releases Preseason Women’s Runners to Watch

Big Ten Conference — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, lll. – The Big Ten Conference’s 2025 Women’s Runners to Watch List was announced on Wednesday, featuring 18 cross country student-athletes. The watch list was determined by the conference’s head coaches.

The 2025 cross country season is set to begin on Friday, Aug. 29. In the 2024 season, Oregon won the women’s Big Ten Championship in the programs inaugural season in the Big Ten. The list is highlighted by Şilan Ayyildiz, the Big Ten’s 2024 Runner of the Year. A graduate student for the Ducks, Ayyildiz will look to win back-to-back individual Big Ten Championship titles and break her own record of 19:13.6 she set last year in Champaign, Illinois.

Including Ayyildiz, nine runners on the preseason list earned postseason honors last year, and five finished within the top 10 at the Big Ten Championships.

The complete 2025 Women’s Runners to Watch List can be found below:

Big Ten Women’s Cross Country Runners to Watch
Avril Andre, Jr., Illinois
Katelyn Winton, R-Jr., Indiana
Elena Torres, So., Iowa
Rose Coats, Jr., Maryland
Penelopea Gordon, Sr., Michigan
Rachel Forsyth, So., Michigan State
Izzy Roemer, R-Jr., Minnesota
Ali Bainbridge, Jr., Nebraska
Ava Earl, Gr., Northwestern
Aniya Mosley, Sr., Ohio State
Şilan Ayyildiz, Gr., Oregon
Florence Caron, Gr., Penn State
Lauren Pegher, So., Purdue
Kelseigh O’Neil, So., Rutgers
Olivia Foody, So., UCLA
Jacqueline Duarte, R-Sr., USC
Julia David-Smith, Sr., Washington
Leané Willemse, Gr., Wisconsin

10 from Big Ten Named CSC Women's XC/T&F Academic-All Americans

Big Ten Conference — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – 10 Big Ten student-athletes were recently honored for their performance in the classroom, as College Sports Communicators announced its 2025 Academic All-America Women's Track & Field/Cross Country. Washington and Oregon each had four All-Americans, while Penn State, Nebraska and USC each had one. The list was highlighted by Washington's Amanda and Hana Moll, who won the indoor and outdoor NCAA pole vault championships, respectively. Each was given First Team All-American honors.

2025 CSC Academic All-Americans:

First Team
Florence Caron, Penn State
Axelina Johansson, Nebraska
Jaida Ross, Oregon
Samirah Moody, USC
Hana Moll, Washington
Amanda Moll, Washington

Second Team
Amina Maatoug, Washington

Third Team
Klaudia Kazimierska, Oregon
Ryann Porter, Oregon
Wilma Nielsen, Oregon

For a complete list of the 2025 Academic All-America At-Large Team, please click here.

New Era Begins As House Settlement Approved

Big Ten Conference — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 6, 2025 – Today marks a historic milestone for college athletics in the United States. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has granted final approval to a settlement in the House v. NCAA (“House”) litigation. This landmark settlement – agreed to by plaintiffs representing nearly 400,000 current and former student-athletes and the NCAA, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Pac-12 Conference and Southeastern Conference (SEC) – will reshape the landscape of college sports, paving the way for a model that prioritizes fairness, stability, integrity and opportunity for student-athletes and institutions.

Overseeing this model will be the newly established College Sports Commission – an independent body that will be responsible for implementing the settlement terms governing revenue sharing, student-athlete Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals and roster limits. The Commission will investigate any potential violations of these rules, make determinations regarding potential rules violations and penalties, provide notice and opportunity to be heard, participate in the arbitration process and ultimately administer penalties for violations of these rules. The Commission’s leadership team will be announced in the near future.

Under the new system, student-athletes will have more opportunities to financially benefit during their participation in intercollegiate athletics than ever before. Institutions are now able to share revenue directly with student-athletes, in addition to providing existing benefits such as athletic scholarships, access to world-class training facilities, academic counseling, medical care, post-eligibility medical coverage, mental health resources, nutritional guidance and life skills development.

Beginning July 1, 2025, each year, participating schools can distribute up to 22% of the average revenue among schools in the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC from media rights, ticket sales, and sponsorships – known as the revenue sharing cap. The cap is estimated at $20.5 million per school for the 2025-26 academic year, pending final confirmation. To ensure revenue sharing with student-athletes is appropriately managed and reported to the Court for compliance, athletics departments will use the new College Athlete Payment System (CAPS) platform developed by LBi Software.

Student-athletes will also be able to continue receiving compensation from third-parties other than their institutions for the use of their NIL, so long as their NIL deals are made with the purpose of using their NIL for a valid business purpose and do not exceed a reasonable range of compensation. On behalf of the College Sports Commission, Deloitte* has built and will maintain a new technology platform called NIL Go in which student-athletes will be required to report their NIL deals to confirm they are in compliance with the rules. Deals will be evaluated based on:

Payor association – The relationship between the payor and the student-athlete’s school.
Valid business purpose – Whether the payor is seeking the use of the student-athlete’s NIL for a valid business purpose, meaning to sell a good or service to the public for profit.
Range of compensation – Whether the compensation paid to the student-athlete is commensurate with compensation paid to similarly situated individuals.

Finally, for participating schools, NCAA scholarship limits have been removed and roster limits have been established for each sport, allowing for a significant increase in scholarship opportunities for student-athletes. Under this new model, schools will have the option to offer partial or full scholarships to every student-athlete on a team’s roster, as long as the total number of student-athletes stays within the sport’s specific roster limit. Efforts have also been made to ensure current and immediately incoming student-athletes are not adversely impacted by the establishing of roster limits. Removing scholarship limits allows schools to better support their student-athletes through new scholarships, particularly in non-revenue-generating sports.

“We look forward to implementing this historic settlement designed to bring stability, integrity and competitive balance to college athletics while increasing both scholarship and revenue opportunities for student-athletes in all sports,” said Tony Petitti, Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference.

“This is a significant moment for college athletics that will provide unparalleled opportunities for student-athletes. We look forward to implementing this new system which offers much-needed transparency and structure to create a more sustainable model for the long-term future of college athletics,” said Jim Phillips, Ph.D., Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

“As we enter this new era of college athletics, it is crucial we do so with structure, transparency, and the success of student-athletes in mind — this settlement and new model will ensure that happens. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to implement this new system that prioritizes fairness and opportunity for all student-athletes and institutions," said Brett Yormark, Commissioner of the Big 12 Conference.

"It's a new day in collegiate athletics. This historic moment allows us to maintain what makes college sports special, the development of young individuals through sport, while also evolving to meet today's student-athletes where they are with new opportunities in a manner that provides long-term stability for collegiate athletics. I am proud to work alongside my colleagues as we implement and introduce the future of college sports,” said Teresa Gould, Commissioner of the Pac-12 Conference.

“The approval of the House settlement agreement represents a significant milestone for the meaningful support of our student-athletes and a pivotal step toward establishing long-term sustainability for college sports, two of the Southeastern Conference’s top priorities. As the journey to modernize collegiate sports continues, we remain focused on identifying and implementing innovative opportunities for our student-athletes across all sports while maintaining the core values that make collegiate athletics uniquely meaningful,” said Greg Sankey, Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference.

Following are significant dates related to the implementation of the settlement:

June 6, 2025: Settlement approved; settlement-related NCAA rules are effective, as adopted by the NCAA Division 1 Board on April 21, 2025.
June 11 2025: NIL Go portal launches.
June 15, 2025: Opt-in deadline for non-defendant schools to fully commit to revenue sharing.
July 6, 2025: Opt-in schools must “designate” student-athletes permitted by the settlement to remain above roster limits.
July 1, 2025: First date for direct institutional revenue sharing payments to student-athletes.
Start of 2025-26 academic year: With the exception of the “designated” student-athletes, Fall sports must be at or below roster limits by their first day of competition.
December 1, 2025: With the exception of “designated” student-athletes, Winter and Spring sports must be at or below roster limits by their first day of competition or Dec. 1, whichever is earlier.

More information about the College Sports Commission and the implementation of these new policies can be found at CollegeSportsCommission.org.

* As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte Consulting LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of its legal structure. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

MEDIA CONTACT

collegesportscommission@fgsglobal.com

The Big Ten Conference Announces Inaugural “Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award” for Student-Athletes

Big Ten Conference — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill – In honor of Jackie Robinson’s core values of courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment, and excellence, the Big Ten Conference today announced the inaugural Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award to recognize the conference’s student-athletes who have made an exceptional impact in their local community. Before breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier, Jackie Robinson was a standout student-athlete at UCLA, where he was the school’s first four-sport letter winner, excelling in football, basketball, track and field, and baseball.

Student-athletes will be nominated based on the following criteria:

Demonstrated Impact: Significant and tangible contributions to community projects or causes, including measurable outcomes or positive changes resulting from their involvement.

Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to work effectively with others, including peers, organizations, and community members, to achieve common goals and enhance community impact.

Consistency and Commitment: Ongoing and consistent participation in community service activities over an extended period of time.

Visibility and Advocacy: Efforts to raise awareness and advocate for important groups or causes, leveraging their platform to promote positive change and engage others.

"The Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award celebrates Jackie’s legacy of excellence in community service,” said Sonya Pankey Robinson, Jackie’s first grandchild, Director and board member of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. "We are proud to recognize 36 outstanding men and women for the incredible impact they make in their community."

“It is our privilege and great honor to bestow this award in Jackie’s name upon these deserving Big Ten student-athletes and to express our appreciation for the continuing support of the Jackie Robinson Foundation,” said Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony Petitti.

"Our student-athletes make significant contributions through competition, academics, and community impact,” said Big Ten Senior Vice President, Community & Impact, Omar Brown. “This award allows the Big Ten to recognize these efforts in improving communities, just as we do with their other achievements. Jackie Robinson embodies this award and our goal to honor student-athletes who positively impact others."

Each Big Ten member-institution can nominate two student-athletes, one male and one female, from their respective schools. The Big Ten Conference will select two Jackie Robinson Community & Impact award winners, from the 36 nominations, who will be announced by the Big Ten Conference this spring. All remaining nominees will be recognized with individual awards for their contributions to their local communities.

The Big Ten Conference’s commitment to athletics, academics and service goes back to the conference’s founding. Coupling the academic goals set forth by leaders of the charter members of the conference with their steadfast commitment to athletics, the conference instituted the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1915, the first award to demonstrate support for the educational emphasis placed on intercollegiate athletics. It is awarded annually by each member institution to one male and one female student of the graduating class who has attained the greatest proficiency in scholarship and athletics.

In June of 2020 the conference launched the Big Ten Equality Coalition. This group, which features student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, chancellors, presidents and other members, has a stated goal of seeking tangible ways to actively and constructively combat racism and hate around the world, while also empowering student-athletes to express their rights to free speech and peaceful protest. An important initiative resulting from conversations initiated by the coalition was the Big Ten Voter Registration Initiative.

In recent years, several delegations of conference student-athletes and administrators have traveled to Selma and Montgomery, Alabama, for an immersive civil rights educational experience entitled: “Big Life Series: Selma to Montgomery.” The visit to one of the key centers of the civil rights movement was highlighted by marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to learn more about the profound impact that young people had on the civil rights movement.

Additionally, the Big Ten Conference is dedicated to making a lasting impact on the communities where its major events are held hosting sports clinics, renovating recreation centers, and giving elementary-aged children a behind-the-scenes experience with major Big Ten events. In all cases the conference focuses on creating meaningful improvements aimed at leaving each location better than it was found. Most recently, the Big Ten collaborated with the College Football Playoff Foundation, local sports organizations and local school districts to enhance spaces for teachers and children while providing additional educational and athletic opportunities for children.

As Jackie Robison famously said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

Oregon’s Ayyildiz Named 2024 Big Ten Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year

Big Ten Conference — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Oregon senior Silan Ayyildiz was named the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year, as voted by the Big Ten head coaches, the conference announced Wednesday.

Ayyildiz earned the first honor of her career after helping Oregon place fifth overall at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships, the program’s highest finish since 2018. She was the top finisher for the Big Ten, having completed the 6K race in 19:48.2 to place 13th.

Ayyildiz led Oregon to its first team championship as a member of the Big Ten Conference at the 2024 Big Ten Cross Country Championships. She finished the 6K race in a time of 19:13.6 to win the individual title and set a championships record, nearly 13 seconds ahead of the previous record-setting mark. For the season, Ayyildiz collected first team All-Big Ten honors, All-Region laurels and All-America recognition.

Wisconsin, Michigan State, Minnesota and Oregon Earn USTFCCCA Regional Awards

Big Ten Communications — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT

2024 NCAA Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships Central

Big Ten Conference — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT

NOVEMBER 23, 2024
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - THOMAS ZIMMER CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE

LIVE RESULTS | ESPNU/ESPN+ | TICKETS | PARKING

WISCONSIN CHAMPIONSHIPS CENTRAL

*Fans can watch the races live on ESPNU

SCHEDULE
TIME (CT)	EVENT
6:30 a.m.	Parking Lots Open/Shuttles Begin
9:20 a.m.	Women's 6K Championship Race
10:10 a.m.	Men's 10K Championship Race
Following the conclusion of the men's race	Awards Ceremony

Teams Competing
School	Home	Roster	Schedule
Michigan State	Women	Women	Women
Minnesota	Women	Women	Women
Oregon	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Penn State	Women	Women	Women
Washington	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Wisconsin	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women

Men's Individuals Competing
Riley Hough, Michigan State
Brian DiCola, Penn State
Douglas Buckeridge, Purdue

Women's Individuals Competing
Halle Hill, Illinois
Rose Coats, Maryland
Penelopea Gordon, Michigan
Ali Bainbridge, Nebraska
Aniya Mosley, Ohio State
Daniella Santos, Ohio State

Three Big Ten Women’s Cross Country Teams Qualify for NCAA Championships

Big Ten Conference — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Results: Great Lakes Regional | Mid-Atlantic Regional | Midwest Regional | West Regional

ROSEMONT, Ill. – At least eight Big Ten teams will be represented at the 2024 NCAA Women’s Cross Country Championships following results at NCAA Regionals held around the country on Friday. The top two teams and the top four individuals not on a qualifying team at each regional earned automatic berths to the NCAA Championships, which will take place Nov. 23 in Madison, Wis.

Three Big Ten programs finished in the top two of their respective 6K regional championships and earned automatic berths on Friday. Oregon tallied 43 points to win the West Regional with three top-10 finishers. 2024 Big Ten individual title holder Silan Ayyildiz placed second (19:19.3) while Maddy Elmore finished third (19:23.7) and Anika Thompson checked in seventh (19:41.7).

Minnesota placed second in the Midwest Regional behind 76 points with Ali Weimer finishing second overall (19:48.85). Wisconsin also had a solid team effort and claimed second place in the Great Lakes Regional with 97 points.

Individually, five Big Ten runners placed within the top four outside of the qualifying teams to secure a spot in Madison. Michigan State’s Rachel Forsyth (19:31.7) clocked in second at the Great Lakes Regional. In the Mid-Atlantic Region, Penn State’s Florence Caron finished fourth (19:41.7) and Maryland’s Rose Coats placed eighth (19:53.8). Nebraska’s Ali Bainbridge was fifth (19:53.82) and Illinois’ Halle Hill finished sixth (19:55.74) in the Midwest Region.

Along with Friday’s automatic qualifiers, an additional 13 teams and two individual participants will be chosen by the NCAA Division I Track and Field and Cross Country Committee through an at-large selection process. The full field for the 2024 NCAA Championships will be announced during the NCAA selection show at 5 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, live on NCAA.com.

Michigan State and Oregon Claim 2024 Big Ten Women’s Cross Country Postseason Honors

Big Ten Conference — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced the first of its postseason women’s cross country awards on Thursday. Michigan State’s Rachel Forsyth was voted Big Ten Freshman of the Year, while Oregon head coach Shalane Flanagan was unanimously selected as Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Forsyth earned her first collegiate award after placing fourth at the 2024 Big Ten Cross Country Championships in a time of 19:26.2, a personal best. Her performance earned her first team All-Big Ten and All-Freshman Team recognition. The Ann Arbor, Mich. native is the sixth Spartan to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Flanagan led Oregon to its first women’s cross country team title as a member of the Big Ten Conference at the championships last week. With her guidance, five runners placed in the top 15 and seven finished in the top 25 overall. Flanagan coached senior Silan Ayyildiz to the individual title, who finished the 6K race in a record-breaking time of 19:13.6, nearly 13 seconds ahead of the previous mark.

The Big Ten also recognizes the Sportsmanship Award honorees from each institution. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have set themselves apart through hard work, sportsmanship and honorable behavior. These student-athletes must also be in good academic standing and demonstrate good citizenship outside of the sports setting.

The women’s cross country Big Ten Athlete of the Year will be announced following the NCAA Championships, which will be held Nov. 23 at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course in Verona, Wis., hosted by the University of Wisconsin.

2024 Big Ten Women’s Cross Country Postseason Awards
Freshman of the Year: Rachel Forsyth, Michigan State
Coach of the Year: SHALANE FLANAGAN, OREGON

2024 Sportsmanship Award Honorees
Halle Hill, Illinois
Mariah Wehrle, Indiana
Miriam Sandeen, Iowa
Rose Coats, Maryland
Jadyn Zdanavage, Michigan
Taylor Ewert, Michigan State
Liesl Paulsen, Minnesota
Taya Skelton, Nebraska
Katherine Hessler, Northwestern
Akemi Von Scherr, Ohio State
Anika Thompson, Oregon
Claire Daniels, Penn State
Payne Turney, Purdue
Emma Baeyens, Rutgers
Ailish Hawkins, UCLA
Helena Teixeira-Dasilva, USC
Maeve Stiles, Washington
Annika Cutforth, Wisconsin

*unanimous selections in ALL CAPS

Oregon Wins 2024 Women’s Cross Country Championships

Big Ten Conference — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Women's Results | Championships Central

SAVOY, Ill. – In its first season as a member of the Big Ten Conference, the Oregon women’s cross country team secured the team title at the 2024 Big Ten Cross Country Championships, hosted by the University of Illinois at the Orange and Blue Golf Course.

The Ducks registered 33 points, besting runner-up Washington (60) and third-place finisher Wisconsin (133). Oregon was paced by seniors Silan Ayyildiz and Maddy Elmore, who crossed the finish line in first and second place, respectively.

Ayyildiz completed the 6K course in a time of 19:13.6 to win the individual title. Her time set a championships record, nearly 13 seconds ahead of the previous record-setting mark of 19:26.3 by Michigan State's Leah O’Connor.

The top 10 finishers at the Big Ten Championships garnered first team All-Big Ten honors, while competitors in places 11-20 received second team laurels. The five highest-finishing freshmen earned a spot on the all-freshman team.

2024 Women’s Cross Country All-Big Ten Honors
First Team
Silan Ayyildiz, Oregon
Maddy Elmore, Oregon
Ali Weimer, Minnesota
Rachel Forsyth, Michigan State
Florence Caron, Penn State
Chloe Foerster, Washington
Mia Barnett, Oregon
Aniya Mosley, Ohio State
Julia David-Smith, Washington
India Weir, Washington

Second Team
Klaudia Kazimierska, Oregon
Anika Thompson, Oregon
Kaitlyn Hynes, Michigan State
Ava Earl, Northwestern
Leane Willemse, Wisconsin
Halle Hill, Illinois
Maeve Stiles, Washington
Sophie O’Sullivan, Washington
Ali Bainbridge, Nebraska
Amina Maatoug, Washington

All-Freshman Team
Rachel Forsyth, Michigan State
Ali Ince, Oregon
Isabelle Schmitz, Minnesota
Charlotte Sinke, Oregon
Olivia Foody, UCLA

Michigan Claims Cross Country Weekly Honors

Big Ten Conference — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Michigan senior Henry Johnson secured Big Ten Weekly Honors for men’s cross country, while senior Gabbie Michael and freshman Katelyn Watkins claimed recognition for women’s cross country.

Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Henry Johnson, Michigan
Sr. – Houghton le Spring, England – Kepier School – Major: Applied Exercise Science

Led Michigan at the EMU Fall Classic with a fourth-place finish
Covered the 5K course in 15:07.30

Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Gabbie Michael, Michigan
Sr. – Frankenmuth, Mich. – Frankenmuth – Major: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

Was the second runner to cross the finish line for the Wolverines at the EMU Fall Classic
Completed the 5K course in 17:56.0 to place third overall

Women’s Cross Country Freshman of the Week
Katelyn Watkins, Michigan
Fr. – Midland, Mich. – Herbert Henry Dow – Major: Undeclared

Came in second place at the EMU Fall Classic
Paced Michigan’s runners with a time of 17:50.7 at the 5K course

2024 Big Ten Men’s Cross Country Athletes of the Week
Sept. 4
A: Noah Kohut-Jackson, Gr., MINN
F: Jack Agnew, R-Fr., OSU

Sept. 11
A: Nick Sloff, R-Fr., PSU
F: Nick Sloff, R-Fr., PSU

Sept. 18
A: Christian De Vaal, R-Fr., WIS
F: Christian De Vaal, R-Fr., WIS

Sept. 25
A: Dennis Chapman, Fr., NEB
F: Weston Day, Fr., OSU

Oct. 2
A: Caleb Jarema, Jr., MICH
F: Simeon Birnbaum, R-Fr., ORE

Oct. 9
A: Bob Liking, Sr., WIS
F: Nick Sloff, R-Fr., PSU

Oct. 16
A: Elliott Cook, Sr., ORE
F: Tayson Echohawk, R-Fr., ORE

Oct. 23
A: Bob Liking, Sr., WIS
F: Nick Sloff, R-Fr., PSU

Oct. 30
A: Henry Johnson, Sr., MICH

2024 Big Ten Women’s Cross Country Athletes of the Week
Sept. 4
A: Rose Coats, So., MD
F: Eva Rogers, Fr., MD

Sept. 11
A: Berlyn Schutz, So., NEB
F: Nora Gremban, Fr., WIS

Sept. 18
A: Lindsay Cunningham, Sr., WIS
F: Elena Torres, Fr., IOWA

Sept. 25
A: Ali Weimer, Jr., MINN
F: Anjali Hocker Singh, Fr., MICH

Oct. 2
A: Florence Caron, Sr., PSU
F: Elena Torres, Fr., IOWA

Oct. 9
A: Ali Weimer, Jr., MINN
F: Isabelle Schmitz, Fr., MINN

Oct. 16
A: Maddy Elmore, Sr., ORE
F: Ali Ince, Fr., ORE

Oct. 23
A: Florence Caron, Sr., PSU
F: Ava Criniti, R-Fr., NU

Oct. 30
A: Gabbie Michael, Sr., MICH
F: Katelyn Watkins, Fr., MICH

2024 Big Ten Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships

Big Ten Conference — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT

NOVEMBER 1, 2024
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS - ORANGE AND BLUE COURSE

LIVE RESULTS | ORANGE AND BLUE GOLF COURSE | ILLINOIS CHAMPIONSHIPS CENTRAL

DIRECTIONS | PARKING | EXPERIENCE CHAMPAIGN-URBANA

CREDENTIALS | USTFCCCA POLLS

Tweet #B1GXC

2024 WOMEN'S RECAP & ALL-BIG TEN TEAMS | 2024 MEN'S RECAP & ALL-BIG TEN TEAMS

*Fans can watch the races live on the Big Ten Network

SCHEDULE
TIME (CT)	EVENT	LOCATION
9 a.m.	Gates Open to the Public	Blue Course
10:35 a.m.	Women's 6K Race	Blue Course
11:35 a.m.	Men's 8K Race	Blue Course
12:30 p.m.	Awards Ceremony	Clubhouse (West Side)

School Information
School	Home	Roster	Schedule
Illinois	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Indiana	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Iowa	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Maryland	Women	Women	Women
Michigan	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Michigan State	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Minnesota	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Nebraska	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Northwestern	Women	Women	Women
Ohio State	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Oregon	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Penn State	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Purdue	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Rutgers	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
UCLA	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
USC	Women	Women	Women
Washington	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women
Wisconsin	Men \| Women	Men \| Women	Men \| Women

Wisconsin, Penn State and Northwestern Earn Cross Country Weekly Honors

Big Ten Conference — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Wisconsin senior Bob Liking and Penn State redshirt-freshman Nick Sloff secured Big Ten Weekly Honors for men’s cross country, while Penn State senior Florence Caron and Northwestern redshirt-freshman Ava Criniti claimed recognition for women’s cross country.

Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Bob Liking, Wisconsin
Sr. – St. Charles, Ill. – St. Charles East – Major: Health Promotion and Health Equity

Earned a personal best at the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals with an 8K time of 22:54.6
Placed sixth overall, which was first among Big Ten competitors
Helped Wisconsin to a sixth-place finish, the best of any Big Ten team at the event

Men’s Cross Country Freshman of the Week
Nick Sloff, Penn State
R-Fr. – State College, Pa. – State College – Major: Architectural Engineering

Clocked a personal-best 23:22.2 8K mark to come in 21st overall at the Princeton Fall Classic
Has been a top-three runner for the Nittany Lions in every race this season

Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Florence Caron, Penn State
Sr. – La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada – Laval – Major: Linguistics

Finished third overall at the Princeton Fall Classic
Her 19:25.1 6K time was 38.1 seconds faster than her previous top time at the distance
Led No. 21 Penn State to a fourth-place team finish, pushing her team to defeat No. 23 Syracuse and No. 25 Villanova

Women’s Cross Country Freshman of the Week
Ava Criniti, Northwestern
R-Fr. – Lexington, Mass. – Lexington – Major: Undeclared

Ran the 6K red race at the Bradley Pink Classic in 20:37.2
Finished 11th overall and helped Northwestern claim the team title at the event

2024 Big Ten Men’s Cross Country Athletes of the Week
Sept. 4
A: Noah Kohut-Jackson, Gr., MINN
F: Jack Agnew, R-Fr., OSU