Northwestern cross country enters 2026 season ranked 11th nationally

The Northwestern cross country team begins its 2026 campaign this Friday following an 18th-place finish at the 2025 NCAA Championships. The program enters the new season ranked No. 11 in the Preseason National Coaches’ Poll. Head coach Jill Miller returns a core group of athletes, including Skye Ellis, Jackie Holman, and Ava Criniti, while integrating 14 new additions to the roster. This influx of talent follows the departure of key runners Ava Earl and Anna Hightower. The Wildcats look to build on their performance from last year, which stands as the program’s best finish of the modern era.

• 2:06 PMYahoo Sports — Cross Country 2026 season preview