Five Things to Know: Badgers prepare for second meet

The Wisconsin women's cross country team continues its race at the Badger Classic.

Photo by: Suvir Grover

Five Things to Know: Badgers prepare for second meet

September 11, 2024 | Women's Cross Country

Wisconsin looks to maintain momentum in Illinois

By: Maddox Durst

MADISON, Wis. - The No. 19 Wisconsin women's cross country program travels south on Friday to compete in the Big Ten Preview in Urbana-Champaign, Ill. at the Orange and Blue Golf Course, marking their second meet of the young season.

Viewers can keep up with all of the action for Friday's meet by following @BadgerTrackXC on both X and Instagram. Live results can be found here.

1. UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY: For only the second time this decade, Wisconsin will race at a meet hosted by Illinois. The last time the Badgers competed at an event hosted by the Fighting Illini was in 2022 at the Illinois Open, where Wisconsin earned a first-place finish. This year, the Badgers will be a part of both the Big Ten Preview and Big Ten Championships, each taking place at the Orange and Blue Golf Course.

2. SILVER STANDOUTS: The Badgers kicked off their 2024 campaign at the Badger Classic, where the women's team placed second with a total of 38 team points. Nora Gremban led the way with a runner-up finish, followed by a trio of her teammates who placed ninth, 10th and 11th. Mikaela Helling, Annika Elliott, Megan Lee and Myra Stray each scored points for Wisconsin in the competition.

3. B1G NAMES: After placing second at the Big Ten Championships last fall, Wisconsin returns numerous athletes from their runner-up finish back in 2023. Leane Willemse was listed as an Athlete to Watch in the Big Ten during the preseason after a strong finish to 2023 on the course. She is joined by returners in Kylie Finger and Isabella Jacobson, a pair of athletes who established themselves as names-to-know in the Big Ten.

4. HISTORIC HONORS: This week, Nora Gremban was named as the Big Ten Women's Cross Country Freshman of the Week after running a 21:13.1 at the Badger Classic, finishing as the runner-up. Gremban is the first Badger to earn the accolade as the Big Ten Cross Country Freshman of the Week award debuted last week.

5. UP NEXT: After a two-week break, the Badgers will return back to their home turf, this time to host the annual Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational Presented by Under Armour. The competition is set to start at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27 at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course, and is labeled as one of the top meets of the year.