NAPERVILLE - The Carthage women's cross country team has been selected to finish fourth in the 2024 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Women's Cross Country Pre-Championship poll, the CCIW announced on Thursday. 

The Firebirds earned 38 points, tying for fourth with Augustana. Wheaton was picked to win the CCIW Championships with 64 points and eight first place votes. Illinois Wesleyan, second, and North Central, third, round out the top five in the poll.

Placing 6th and 7th at the Wisconsin Private College Championships on Oct. 19, Kylie Smith and Jessie Pakaski look to continue leading the Firebirds. Claire Guenther, Kylie Florance, and Leela Desharnais are set to make another appearance in the CCIW Championships as returners. 

The Firebirds prepare to battle through the 6,000-meter course on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the St. James Farm Forest Preserve for the 2024 CCIW Cross Country Championships. The women's race is scheduled to begin at noon. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.