MIDDLETOWN, CT. - The Wesleyan women's cross country team heads into the NESCAC Championship looking to build on a season of strong performances and team depth as they prepare to compete against the conference's top programs on Saturday, Oct. 31. The 11 school 6K event hosted by Middlebury College will kick off with the women's race at 11 a.m. before the men hit the line at noon.

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL

The Cardinals have demonstrated protentional throughout the season, highlighted by a victory at the Cardinal Invitational, where the Cardinals placed eight runners in the top 25. Logan Ignacio '30 led the way with a second-place finish in 21:47.6, followed closely by Clara Shingler '30 in fourth (21:55.4) and Chase Cerrell '29 in fifth (22:03.6). Ava Bullock '30 rounded out the top four with a seventh-place finish in 22:09.8.

The Cardinals also turned in a strong performance at the Conn. College Invitational, finishing ninth of 26 schools. Shingler paced the Cardinals with a finish at 33rd in 21:43.8, while Ignacio followed in 41st at 21:50.8.

At the Little Three Championship, a 4K race, the Cardinals finished second among three teams. Bullock led the Cardinals with a third-place finish in 15:02.6, while Shingler placed fifth in 15:12.3. Ignacio finished 11th in 15:22.3, and Cerrell crossed the line 14th in 15:29.5.

Looking to improve upon its sixth-place finish at the 2025 NESCAC Championship, the Cardinals are relying on dominant performances from the freshmen class. Cerrell led the team a season ago, finishing 15th overall as Wesleyan competed against a strong 11-team field. Williams captured the 2025 conference title and will once again be among the teams to watch.