Women's Cross Country | 9/5/2025 10:59:00 PM

Sioux Falls, S.D. - The Golden Eagles Women's Cross Country program had a fantastic season debut, finishing as the fourth ranked program out of 26 competing. South Dakota State earned first place in the Augustana Twilight, but there is no denying that the Golden Eagles have set themselves up for a successful season. The women set a new 5k record of 18:48, their previous record was 20:32 at the Augustana Twilight in 2024. 

The Golden Eagles had four runners shatter their previous 5k records: Morgan Shaw (Jr., Redmond, Ore.) set a new school 5k record at 18:08, beating Anna Grabowksi's record of 18:55 in 2024. Madison Hilliard (Sr., Jacksonville, N.C.) also broke the previous record, finishing at 18:31, Natalie Wood (R-So., Big Timber, Mont.) was the third Golden Eagle to break the previous record, coming in at 18:37. Caroline Kuehne (So., Long Prairie, Minn.) set a new personal record at 19:10, Grace Alwardt (Jr., Lake Elsinore, Calif.) set a new personal record as well, finishing at 19:33, and Rivyn DiPadova (Fr., Soldiers Grove, Wis.) also set a personal record with a time of 20:05.

The Golden Eagles had their best finish in program history, finishing fourth in the 26 team meet, and set a program record by beating seven teams in the NSIC. The Golden Eagles will return September 19th at 12:15 p.m. for the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn.