Contact: Taiah Gallisath-Poklop, Associate Director of Athletics Communications, 630-637-5302

Results

Oct. 31, 2026 - Defying the prechampionship projections, the third-seeded North Central College women's cross country team captured its first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Championship title since 2015. The Cardinals placed five runners on the All-CCIW team and totaled 48 points to claim the conference crown. The Cardinal coaching staff also earned the 2026 Women's Cross Country Coaching Staff of the Year award while Mariangela Popoca was named the CCIW First-Year Student-Athlete of the Meet.

North Central won the meet by 13 points, followed by Illinois Wesleyan in second with 61 points. Elmhurst took third with 74 points, and Augustana was fourth with 84 points. Carthage rounded out the top five with 142 points.

The Cardinals put themselves in prime position early on with Popoca and sophomore Dylan Moeller taking an early lead coming out of the woods on lap one.

The rest of the pack was separated by a few but maintained good position before pairing up around the halfway point.

Heading into the final lap, Elmhurst's Jessica Solar overtook the lead position with Popoca right on her hip. Moeller was just a few steps off but stayed locked in on the top group.

Solar broke away on the home stretch to take the individual title while Popoca and Moeller went 2-3, respectively. Popoca clocked a 21:50.9 and Moeller went 21:53.4 to earn First Team All-CCIW in both of their CCIW debuts. 

Senior Lily Anderson claimed her fourth All-CCIW honor, earning Second Team distinction after an 11th place finish. Anderson turned in a time of 22:31.8. Finishing alongside her was Tessa Hatt in 12th, earning the first All-CCIW honor of her career. Hatt ran a 22:32.3 in her first CCIW appearance.

Molly Sheridan closed out the Cardinals scorers in 20th place to nab the final Second Team All-CCIW honor. Sheridan clocked a 22:51.5.

The Cardinals look ahead to hosting the Red & White Invitational on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. back at St. James Farm.