Contact: Taiah Gallisath, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302

Nov. 9, 2021 – In a regular season that has encompassed growth and personal best performances at nearly every race, the North Central College women’s cross country team is in full preparation for the next step in their championship season – the NCAA Division III Midwest Region Championship.

North Central is coming away from the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Championship with mixed feelings as they left St. James Farm with a third-place team finish behind the Elmhurst Bluejays and Wheaton Thunder in a 30-75-92 point thread. Nevertheless, senior Jenna Fiore out-sprinted the Bluejays’ top finisher to take the individual title and was named the CCIW Female Athlete of the Year. Teammates Rachael Vaccaro (18th) and Julianne Billings (19th) all earned All-CCIW honors. Freshman Julia Benes (23rd) was the first true freshman across the finish line earning her the CCIW Freshman of the Year award.

“The reality of it is Elmhurst ran a really great race and Wheaton stepped up and performed well,” said head coach Mahesh Narayanan. “We netted up really well considering how experienced we are and at the end of the day we fared pretty well.”

The Cardinals have maintained a presence in the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Regional Rankings all season and currently rank 8th in the Midwest according to the Week Seven poll. Wartburg and Washington University (Mo.) have steadily been in the top two ranks this season, followed by the University of Chicago, Elmhurst University, Loras College, Central College (Iowa), and Wheaton College. Following behind North Central are Illinois Wesleyan University and Simpson College (Iowa).

North Central had two opportunities to race on this year’s host course down in Rock Island, Ill. as it took on the Brissman-Lundeen Invitational finishing sixth of 21 teams, and the Augustana College Invitational finishing 10th of 23 teams.

The Cardinals came away from the 2019 Midwest Region Championship with a sixth place finish amongst 35 teams and a pair of All-Region honorees in Dianne Barajas ‘20 and Jenna Yakesh ‘21. This year the Cardinals return only one student-athlete from the 2019 regionals race, Jenna Fiore who finished 41st two seasons ago.

Narayanan looks to the three senior captains, Fiore, Rachael Vaccaro, and Allie Ganser for their experience and leadership, as they continue through championship season. 

“The seniors stepped up, they really stepped into the gap. Three captains bring three different qualities with the idea that they all have a common theme. They're all pretty good about keeping traditions going, keeping the general structure of what the program is about, and for them, they have pride,” said Narayanan.

“These women are really putting forth a lot not only to be reigning and performing but just trying to put tangible, objective, measurable pieces out there, so if anyone were to look at the program, they're doing it, they've moved the needle. They've done it. They deserve a lot of credit for what they're doing” said Narayanan about the efforts the whole team has put forth this season thus far. 

North Central heads into the Regional Championship with their eyes on every individual and team in attendance. The Cardinals will go head-to-head with nationally-ranked programs including No. 3 Wartburg, No. 4 Washington University, No. 7 University of Chicago, and No. 34 Elmhurst University. 

“I think the moment you try to disregard any person or team, that's when you get complacent and when you get in trouble. You have to respect what's around you.”

North Central races at noon on Saturday in Rock Island, Ill at the Saukie Golf Course. 

Download the free North Central Cardinals app, available for iOS and Android devices, to receive up-to-the-minute news, scores and updates on your favorite North Central teams. Click HERE for more information.