Cardinals Put Together Strong Season Opener

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

Results

Sept. 4, 2026 – The North Central College women's cross country team hit the course for its season opener Friday evening at St. James Farm. Despite the high temperatures and a delayed schedule, Lily Anderson paced the Cardinals and claimed her first win of the new season.

The Cardinals competed on a three-mile course in a narrow field featuring 20 runners between North Central, Harper College, and an exhibition runner.

Anderson and Yarecci Salmeron ran side-by-side for much of the race and were just seconds apart at the two-mile mark. Anderson ultimately came away with the individual win, clocking a time of 19:27.7. Salmeron closed in on the home stretch to finish as the runner-up in 19:30.6.

Mariangela Popoca kept the veterans in her sights in her collegiate debut as she finished third overall in 19:45.0. Giselle Alcala moved up two spots in the last mile and finished fourth in 19:52.3, while newcomer Tessa Hatt maintained her position throughout the race, finishing fifth in 20:05.6.

The Cardinals return to action next Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Spartan Invitational hosted by Aurora University. Race time at the Northwestern Medicine Cross Country Course in Geneva, Illinois, is slated for a 10:30 a.m. start.

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Players Mentioned

Giselle Alcala: Sophomore

Lily Anderson: Senior

Yarecci Salmeron: Sophomore

Tessa Hatt: Freshman

Mariangela Popoca: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Giselle Alcala
: Sophomore

Lily Anderson
: Senior

Yarecci Salmeron
: Sophomore

Tessa Hatt
: Freshman

Mariangela Popoca
: Freshman

North Central College Cardinals

North Central College Cardinals

Cardinals Put Together Strong Season Opener

Players Mentioned

Giselle Alcala

Lily Anderson

Yarecci Salmeron

Tessa Hatt

Mariangela Popoca

Players Mentioned

Giselle Alcala

Lily Anderson

Yarecci Salmeron

Tessa Hatt

Mariangela Popoca

Program Highlights