Warrenville, Ill. – The Wheaton women's cross country team opened the 2025 season on Friday at the NCC Cross Country Invitational at St. James Farm Forest Preserve. The Thunder women won the event, finishing first in the six-team field

Wheaton placed four runners in the top-10 with 33 points to earn the first-place finish. Elmhurst scored 44 points in second place, followed by UW-Whitewater in third place with 55 points, North Central scored 96 points in fourth place, Joliet Junior College was fifth with 152 points and Benedictine scored 172 points in sixth place.

Freshman Abi Anderson of UW-Whitewater had the top time on the 6K course with a time of 22:58.70 to finish first in the 72-woman field. Elmhurst senior Molly Roberts was second with a time of 23:10.90, and Wheaton sophomore Abby Rickard posted the top time for the Thunder with an effort of 23:38.70 to finish in third place.

Thunder senior Louisa Brorson placed fourth, behind Rickard, with an effort of 23:38.70. Freshman Clodagh O'Bryant placed sixth with a time of 23:59.90, placing sixth in her collegiate debut. Senior Lily Lebo placed seventh with a time of 24:03.80, while fellow senior Elizabeth LaBrin was 13^th with a time of 24:13.00. Freshman Allie Woolever posted a time of 24:59.80 to finish 19^th in her collegiate debut, while sophomore Emmarie Marino was 28^th in 25:24.70.

The Thunder will return to St. James Farm on September 20 when the Thunder cross country programs host the Gil Dodds Invitational. The men's race begins at 10:00 a.m. for the 8K race.