Northwestern's track team is set to compete at the NCAA West Preliminary in Fayetteville, Ark., with five athletes participating. Events start on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT and wrap up by Saturday night, featuring athletes who qualified by ranking in the top 48 of their events. Notable competitors include Skye Ellis in the 1,500m run, Ava Criniti and Jackie Holman in the 10,000m run, and Cary Drake and Anna Hightower in the 3,000m steeplechase. The top performers will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., set for June 10-13.

By the Numbers
  • Skye Ellis set a program record in the 1,500m run twice this season.
  • Ava Criniti and Jackie Holman hold the top two all-time records for the 10,000m run at Northwestern.
  • Cary Drake achieved the 13th-fastest time in the region for the 3,000m steeplechase at 10:04.15.
  • Ava Criniti's 5,000m time of 15:51.38 is the fourth-fastest in program history.
State of Play
  • The meet begins Thursday with Skye Ellis racing in the 1,500m at 6:30 p.m. CT.
  • Ava Criniti and Jackie Holman will compete in the 10,000m at 9:10 p.m. CT on the same day.
  • Cary Drake and Anna Hightower will run the 3,000m steeplechase at 5:40 p.m. CT on Saturday.
  • Criniti returns for the 5,000m run at 8:10 p.m. CT on Saturday.
What's Next

Post-meet, the top 12 times will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene. Athletes will aim to secure spots based on results and heat performances. This competition serves as a pivotal moment in their season, impacting future opportunities.

Bottom Line

Northwestern's athletes are poised for a challenging yet exciting weekend at the NCAA West Preliminary. Their performances not only embody individual talent but also reflect the strength of the program. Success this week could elevate them to national recognition at the Outdoor Championships.