MADISON, Wis. – The No. 21 Wisconsin women's cross country team will attend the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course. The women's 6-kilometer championship is set to start at 9:00 a.m. and the women's open 6K at 10:20 a.m.

1. HOMEGROWN HEAT: The Badgers hosted their first race of the season, sweeping at the Badger Classic with a perfect race. They finished with 15 points, followed by Marquette, 50 points, and Wisconsin-Platteville, 83 points. Bella Jacobsen won the individual title for the Badgers with a time of 21:45.9, followed by Kylie Finger and Mya Bunke.

2. RANKED & READY: This week, the Badgers are ranked No. 21 with 85 points for week two rankings, according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The Badgers moved up to No.4 in the Big Ten, with Michigan State dropping to No. 22. Oregon continues to lead the Big Ten, ranking No. 4 nationally. 

3. REWIND THE RACE: Last year, Leane Willemse led the Badgers finishing in 18th with a time of 20:11.2. The Badgers finished in 13th with five of their runners placing. Head coach Mick Bryne ran a different squad at this race last year, wanting to give a good opportunity to give runners quality race experience. Willemse led the Badgers to a third place finish in 2023, finishing 10th overall. 

4. PROVEN PERFORMERS: In 2022, the Badgers won the Lakefront Invitational for their first win of the 2022 season, finishing with 35 points. Four of the Badgers who competed in that race are still on the 2025 roster, Bella Jacobsen, Maggie Munson, Mya Bunke and Kylie Finger. Jacobsen finished first for the Badgers as a freshman, however, was running unattached. 

5. BACK HOME: The Badgers will host the 2025 Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational Presented by Under Armour on Oct. 17 at the Zimmer Championship Course. The race is set to start at 10:30 a.m. with two races per gender, with 31 teams competing.