Dupage Policy Journal

The 2025 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s cross country season has started with strong performances from several teams across the conference. Early meets have seen standout results from Illinois Wesleyan, Millikin, Elmhurst, Wheaton, North Central, and Augustana.

Illinois Wesleyan opened their campaign by winning the Titan Opener on August 29, taking 14 of the top 16 spots. The team then finished fifth at the Redbird Invitational on September 12 against mostly Division I competition. Adriana Crabtree led IWU by breaking a school record in the women’s 6k at Redbird with a time of 21:32.3, her third career win and fastest in the CCIW this fall. She also won the Titan Opener two-mile race in 12:21.30. Freshman Alexia Spatz finished second at that event and placed 35th in her first collegiate 6k at Redbird. Senior Brooke Nazos was fourth at Titan Opener and placed 51st at Redbird.

Elmhurst began its season with a second-place finish at the North Park Invite on August 29 and followed up as runner-up again at the NCCXC Invitational on September 5. Senior Molly Roberts set a personal best to lead Elmhurst to second place at NCCXC and earned CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week honors for her performance on September 9. Junior Jessica Solar posted two top-six finishes early in the season, while junior Paige Rewerts and freshman Joanna Rivera both recorded personal bests.

Wheaton took first place at the NCCXC Invitational behind four runners finishing in the top ten. Abby Rickard led Wheaton with a third-place finish; senior Louisa Brorson was close behind in fourth; freshman Clodagh O’Bryant debuted with sixth place; Lily Lebo secured seventh.

North Central’s all-freshman squad claimed victory at Rock River Invite on August 29 and finished fourth as hosts of NCCXC Invitational on September 5. Molly Sheridan won individually at Rock River before placing eighth in her next meet; Giselle Alcala had two top-20 finishes as well.

Carthage opened its season by finishing fourth out of eight teams at Vic Godfrey Open before earning third place among ten teams at Ken Weidt Classic on September 13. Jessie Pakaski led Carthage both times, including seventh overall in Ken Weidt’s six-kilometer race.

Millikin dominated H.W. Wright Classic for a team title on August 29, sweeping individual podium spots before placing third against higher-division schools at Prairie Stars Invitational one week later. Brooklynn Sweikar won individually for Millikin twice; newcomer Brynn Behrmann contributed as runner-up early in her college career.

Augustana improved from third place out of six teams during their opener to second out of five teams one week later. Keira Nelson was Augie’s top finisher both times; Frida Martinez remained consistent inside each event’s top ten.

Carroll placed sixth out of nine teams to start their year but moved up to fourth among ten squads during Ken Weidt Classic thanks to scoring efforts from Keagan Knue, Hana Smith, Brooke Davies, and Sarah Tinder.

North Park hosted an invitational to begin its schedule before competing again soon after. Freshman Marley Gandee led NPU with tenth place overall during her debut race and paced North Park again during Vic Godfrey Invite alongside teammates Mary Willitts and Cyan Bradley.

Freshmen athletes across several programs have played significant roles so far this season as teams prepare for further conference competition.