MADISON, Wis. – The No. 22 Wisconsin women’s cross country team is set to compete in the Big Ten Championships on Friday at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course. It marks the first time since 2010 that UW has hosted the conference meet, as the Badgers are looking to bring back their 14th Big Ten Championship title in the women’s 6-kilometer race. The women’s race is set to take off at 11:45 a.m.
Spectator parking will be available at Blackhawk Church and a free shuttle will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday. More information about that can be found here.
1: LAST TIME AT BIG TENS: Last year, Wisconsin placed third at the Big Ten Championships scoring 94 points and only eight points behind Michigan, while Michigan State captured the team title with 78 points. Shea Ruhly led the Badgers with her eighth-place finish in 20 minutes, 26.3 seconds. Also helping the Badgers to a top-three finish last season was Samantha Stieve, who placed 13th in 20:33.4, and Lucinda Crouch, finishing 14th in 20:36.4.
2: BADGERS TO WATCH: Junior Leane Willemse will return this Friday alongside other 2022 Big Ten returners Samantha Stieve, Victoria Heilgenthal, and Alexa Westley. This season, Willemse led the Badgers to a third-place finish at the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational with her 10th-place showing in 20:05.3, she also helped the Badgers to a 16th-place team finish at the Nuttycombe Invitational covering the 6K course in 20:36.0. Graduate student Danielle Orie is also looking to make an impact this Friday, as the upcoming race will mark Orie’s third competition of the season finishing as one of UW top scorers each meet.
3: SCOUTING THE COMPETITION: Wisconsin is one of two teams in the Big Ten in the latest U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Coaches Poll, ahead of No. 15 Michigan State. Michigan State has proven to be tough competition for the Badgers as they finished six spots ahead of UW at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational presented by Under Armour (Oct. 13).
4: FOLLOW ALONG: Fans can watch the meet live on B1G+ while they can also follow along through live results. Fans can also follow the action on Instagram and Twitter @BadgerTrackXC. A tape-delayed showing of the championship will air on Sunday at 8 a.m. on Big Ten Network.
5: UP NEXT: Following the Big Ten Championships, UW will…
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