Contact: Emily Zadny, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302  

CCIW Championship Information

Oct. 27, 2017 - Looking to follow the pattern of success that has carried a young squad throughout the season, the North Central College women's cross country team hopes to best its second place finish in 2016 at this year's College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Championship on Saturday, Oct. 28. 

The Cardinals have placed in the top-five since 2003, securing six team titles since. North Central finished with 73 points in 2016, second to Wheaton College which scored 43. Illinois Wesleyan University finished third (86), followed by Carroll University (99), Carthage College (107), Augustana College (120), Elmhurst College (201), North Park University (218) and Millikin University (251). 

"We have been consistent with our training and healthy as a whole, which has been great for us," said head coach Mahesh Narayanan. "We have a lot of different experiences and strengths going into this meet." 

Looking to lead the team with her conference championship experience is senior Allison Hartman. Hartman missed out on last season's championship but has had a strong season thus far both as an athlete and leader.  

Freshman Madelyn Scopp has the confidence from five top-ten finishes this season as she enters her first conference race. Also competing in their first CCIW championship are freshman Allyson McLaughlin, Emma Jourdan, and Alexis Henz.  

It will take the efforts of each individual in the core group to help North Central achieve its goal of a conference championship. 

"Our conference is really good—Wheaton is a top-ranked team but that doesn't scare us. It gives us something to shoot for," said Narayanan. "At any point, anyone can emerge from any team and change the race. We have athletes who are capable of that so we just have to be prepared." 

The 2017 CCIW Championship, held at St. James Farm in Warrenville, is set to begin at 12:45 PM.