The NMU cross country team opened its 2025 season with a strong showing at the Phoenix Open, finishing second of nine teams. Hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the meet drew teams from across the Midwest, providing the Wildcats with an early test for their season. NMU scored 54 points, just behind St. Thomas, who narrowly captured the women’s title with 47 points.
“It was a great way to start the season,” head coach Jenny Ryan said. “For Madi to come back strong after a year away from racing was impressive, and then we had a big pack working together right behind her. From our top runner to our seventh, the gap was only about 45 seconds, which is a really good sign.”
Senior Madi Szymanski led the Wildcats in her return to racing after missing last season due to injury, finishing fifth overall with a time of 22:14.8. Freshman Ashley Choponis made an early statement, placing seventh in her first collegiate race, with a time of 22:31.8. Their performances set the tone for the team throughout the race.
“Ashley and Maija both had really strong first collegiate races,” Ryan said. “Ashley wasn’t sure what to expect in her first 6K, but she ran smart and finished in the top group. She came away saying she still had more left, which is really exciting.”
The Wildcats continued to stack up with back-to-back finishes from Lamar Gordon (11th, 22:39.5) and Sophia Potter (12th, 22:45.0). A second pack of runners, including Emma Sweeney (19th, 23:00.4), Dani Vanlente (21st, 23:00.4), and Beverly Harper (23rd, 23:05.4), stayed close together, showcasing the team’s overall depth. Freshmen Maija Maki-Warne (39th, 23:31.4) and Ella DeBruyn (42nd, 23:33.2) also cracked the top 40, while Lola Korpi (55th, 23:43.9) and Madalyn Agren (56th, 23:49.5) rounded out the results for the Cats.
Also competing was Northern’s GLIAC rival, Michigan Tech, who placed fourth and nearly doubled NMU’s score with 102 points accrued.
“They were ranked ahead of us, but we made a statement,” Ryan said. “We’re not just focused on beating Tech, we’re looking at the teams ahead of us. Tech is already behind us, and we plan to keep it that way.”
The Phoenix Open also offered valuable experience for the Wildcats’ freshmen, allowing them to learn pacing and race strategy in a competitive setting. Ryan emphasized the importance of maintaining composure in a large field.
Up next, Northern will compete at the Roy Griak Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota on Friday, Sept. 19. The meet is one of the largest cross country races in the nation, drawing teams from all over the country. The invitational will provide valuable information regarding the Wildcat’s standing as the GLIAC Championships slowly approaches.
“The Griak is such a historic race, and this year will be the last on that course,” Ryan said. “It’s going to be an incredible test for us against some of the top programs in the Midwest and across the country. Getting experience now will help our younger runners develop as the season progresses.”
