MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin women's cross country team opened its season in a dominant fashion with a home opener against DePaul on Friday. The Badger Classic marks the first time Wisconsin hosted a meet at the Zimmer Championship Course in over 22 months. 
 
Seven Badgers finished in the top-ten. Junior Shea Ruhly led the pack, winning the opener with a time of 18 minutes, 31.3 seconds on the 5200 meter-course. Junior Samatha Stevie quickly followed Ruhly and secured second with her time of 8:24.42. Kate Jortberg, Sarah Schulze, and Ellen Van Doorn solidified Wisconsin's perfect score with their third, fourth, and fifth-place finishes. 
 
Seniors Peyton Sippy and Madison Mooney also finished in the top 10. Sippy came in sixth in 19:05.8 while Mooney quickly followed with her seventh-place finish in 19:08.3. 
 
Straight from the Course - Head Coach Mackenzie Wartenberger
On competing at Zimmer:
"You know it's been a really long wait, and I think the idea of coming back out here to Zimmer Championship course with a really strong group of men and women on the Badgers and sweeping this thing has been something that has really kept us going through 22 months away from home cross country meets. So it's the best feeling in the world.
 
On today's team performance:
"I couldn't be more pleased with where we are right now, uh this group has been working really hard and is still working really hard for them to come out and bust the rust with such confidence and poise, it speaks volumes about their work on their own over the summer and the direction this women's group is moving. Shea Ruhly is an incredible runner and she's someone that came to us with not a lot of background and has believed at every step of the way and has grown so much as an athlete, woman, and competitor. I couldn't be more proud of what she did today."
 
 Up Next:
 Following Friday's race the women will compete in their first road meet of the season with a race against Bradley University.
 
Badger Classic
Sept. 10, 2021 
Zimmer Championship Course
5.2K Race

Team Scores
1. Wisconsin - 15 points
2. DePaul - 50 points

Race Results: 
1. Shea Ruhly 18:31.3
2. Samantha Stieve 18:42.4
3. Kate Jortberg 18:59.2
4. Sarah Shulze 18:59.8
5. Ellen Van Doorn 19:04
6. Peyton Sippy 19:05.8
7. Madison Mooney 19:08.3      
11. Emma Watcke 19:28.7 
12. Erinn Hill 19:36.3 
13. Heidi Heuerman 19:41.2 
14. Ashley Peterson 20:11.7 
19. Kate Ricks 20:30.1