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

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (Sept. 18, 2026) – Freshman Mariangela Popoca led the way for the North Central College women's cross country team Friday, finishing fifth overall to help the Cardinals secure a second-place team finish at the Midwest Classic in Bourbonnais, Ill.

Racing six team field, North Central finished second overall as a program totaling 62 points. No. 17 Olivet Nazarene won the meet with 34 points. Purdue Northwestern finished third with 70 points. 

Popoca was the Cardinals top finisher, taking fifth overall in the 86-person field. Popoca clocked a 23:28.6 in her first collegiate 6k. Lily Anderson finished just behind in sixth in a time of 23:32.7. 

Dylan Moeller finished 15th in her first cross country race at North Central, turning in a time of 24:34.6 while Yarecci Salmeron was just behind in 16th in 24:37.6. Giselle Alcala finished in the top 20 as the Cardinals fifth runner with a time of 24:49.7.

North Central will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 3 when they travel to West Allis, Wis. for the Steve Travis Invitational hosted by Wisconsin Lutheran College.