MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin women's cross country team made a bold statement in its season-opening meet Friday night, tallying a perfect score to win the Badger Classic at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course.
 
Freshman Alexa Westley was victorious in her first collegiate contest, crossing the line in 21 minutes, 58.2 seconds. Teammate Sarah Shulze, running unattached, was right by her side, completing the 6K course in 21:58.5. Fellow freshman Victoria Heiligenthal rounded out the top three, crossing the line in 22:14.6.
 
The success did not stop there!

Wisconsin placed eight runners in the top 10, including Vivian Hacker who finished fourth (22:29.3), Kyleigh Edwards in fifth (22:30.5), Emma Helstrom finishing sixth (22:46.7), Trista Pringle placing seventh (22:55.1), Samantha Stieve crossing the line eighth (23:16.2) and Heidi Heuerman finishing 10th (23:32.0).
 
The Badgers' dominant performance led to a perfect team score of 15 points, topping DePaul's 50 points to win the meet. It also marked Wisconsin's first meet and win under head coach Mackenzie Wartenberger.
 

Straight from the course

"It was an exciting meet for me because I really was learning about the team being my first meet as a Badger and with this crew. They ran so beautifully, so tough, executed our race plan perfectly, and really ran as a team, which has been our theme of the first couple weeks of the season.
 
"Wow, being led by three freshman? That was pretty incredible and I am really thrilled with those women along with the savvy returners who came in and closed out our top seven. Having a perfect score the first time out was pretty cool!
 
"It was very surreal tonight. I've obviously known about the tradition at Wisconsin for a really long time and have been coming to the Zimmer Championship course for the Nuttycombe Meet for years, so to be here coaching on the home course was pretty exciting. This group has been amazing through my first couple weeks so it's been a lot of fun to finally get them on the line and through the finish line."
 
-Head coach Mackenzie Wartenberger
 

Up next

The Badgers are back in action Saturday, September 21 at the John McNichols Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana. The women's 5K race is scheduled to begin at 8:45 a.m. (CT).

Results

Team:
1. Wisconsin 15
2. DePaul 50
 
Individual:
1. Alexa Westley 21:58.2
3. Victoria Heiligenthal 22:14.6
4. Vivian Hacker 22:29.3
5. Kyleigh Edwards 22:30.5
6. Emma Helstrom 22:46.7
7. Trista Pringle 22:51.1
8. Samantha Stieve 23:16.2
10. Heidi Heuerman 23:32.0
15. Jada Beacom 24:34.5
18. Liz Bohn 25:09.2
 
Unattached:
2. Sarah Shulze 21:58.5