MIDDLETOWN, CT. -  After two weeks of preparation, the Wesleyan women's cross country team will take on the NESCAC Championships on Saturday, Nov. 1, in the 11 school 6K event hosted by Conn. College at Harkness Park in Waterford, CT. The women's race will kick off at noon following the completion of the men's 8K.

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL

The 2024 Cardinals put on a performance at last year's championship race, placing fifth out of the 11 NESCAC institutions with 138 points. The Cardinals were led by three-time All-NESCAC honoree Stephanie Ager '26 with a career-best third-place finish. Of 155 runners, Ager ran a 20:48.58 and earned First Team selection status. Chase Cerrell '28 was also a top qualifier, finishing 28^th and the first of the freshmen class to cross the finish line.

The 2025 season has seen Top 20 finishes from several standout runners, especially from the underclassmen. The Cardinals opened the season at the Little Three Championship, placing third. At the home invitational, the Cardinals placed third of 13 competing programs and placed 13^th out of a field of 46 at the Paul Short Invitational.

Cardinals to Watch

• Virginia Lessner '28 surged from the start of the season as the clear front runner of this young squad. Lesser finished ninth at the Cardinal Invitational, her highest finish of the season with a time of 21:59.7 after opening the season with a 14^th -place finish at the Little Three Championships, clocking in at 15:47.2.
• Marking a Top 20 finish at the Little Three Championship, Clare Mahedy '29 placed 17^th as she crossed the finish line at 15:51.4. The freshmen followed up with a finish at 72^nd at the Paul Short Invitational, running a final 22:31.9
• The senior-most veteran highlight is Ager. Looking to finish her collegiate career with a fourth All-NESCAC honor, Ager's top performance came in the Cardinal Invitational as she closed out the Top 10 with a finish at 22:05.9. In the season opener, Ager placed 20^th in the Little Three at 15:58.8 and placed 59^th at Paul Short, crossing the line at 22:21.7. Ager has been a national contender her entire collegiate career.
• Joining Ager as another qualifier from last year's championship, Cerrell is another to watch from this women's program. Placing 16^th at home, Cerrell ran a 22:25.3 and followed with a placement at 21 in the Paul Short, 21:50.2.

The 2024 NESCAC Championship went to Williams College with eight runners placing in the Top 20, while Middlebury's Audrey Maclean took the individual title.