Five things to know: Wisconsin heads to East Lansing for Big Tens
October 29, 2025 | Women's Cross Country
The Badgers move up to No.19 ahead of Big Tens
MADISON, Wis – The Wisconsin women's cross country team will travel to East Lansing for Big Tens on Oct.31 at Forest Akers East Golf Course. The women's 6K race is set to start at 11:35 a.m. CT.
1. B1G RUN: UW finished in 11th place of 30 teams, 18 of which were ranked at their home annual Nuttycombe Invitational. NC State won the Nuttycombe with 41 points, followed by Notre Dame with 125 points. Leané Willemse led the Badgers, coming in 34th place, covering the 6K course in 20:29.9. Kylie Finger was the second Badger to finish with a time of 20:48.6.
2. B1G HISTORY: The Badgers have not taken the cake at Big Ten Championships since 2000 at home. The Badgers won five consecutive years from 1995-2000. UW had a strong finish in 2023, placing second at Big Tens with 81 points. Last year, the Badgers finished in third with 133 points, falling to Oregon and Washington. Leané Willemse and Bella Jacobsen were the first two Badgers to cross the finish line. Four Badgers ran their personal best, Willemse running the 6K course in 19:42.8, Jacobsen covering the 6K in 19:58.5, Nora Gremban with a time of 20:21 and Mya Bunke who crossed the line at 20:24.2
3. B1G RIVALS: Last year, Oregon won the Big Tens and the individual champion was Silan Ayyildiz from Oregon with a 6K time of 19:13.6. Ayyildiz is set to compete at Big Tens in her final season. The Badgers will face five ranked teams in East Lansing, three teams being ranked ahead of No. 19 Wisconsin. Oregon currently leads the Big Ten, nationally ranked fourth.
4. B1G MOVEMENT: The Badgers moved up 10 ranking spots after the Nuttycombe Invitational, moving from No. 29 to No. 19, after an 11th place finish. Wisconsin shifted in front of Washington with them moving down to No. 20 and passed in front of Michigan State who remained steady from the prior week at No. 24.
5. UP NEXT: After a two week break, UW will travel to Evansville, Indiana for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional race. The race will be held on Nov.14 at the Angel Mounds State Historic Site, 8215 Pollack Ave, Evansville, In 47714. The women's 6K is set to start at 10:35 a.m. CT.
Players Mentioned
