Girls XC Wins NLC Championship at Ox Bow, Sammi Rastrelli Wins Race, JV Also Wins
By Roger Grossman | Oct 4, 2025 5:49 PM

The Warsaw Lady Tigers left no doubt in the varsity race, packing all seven runners into the top 20 to secure a commanding team victory. Warsaw posted an impressive 35 points, well ahead of Goshen (76), Wawasee (85), and Northridge (90). Senior leader Sammi Rastrelli set the tone, running a strong and strategic race to claim the overall title in 18:38.95. Freshman Dani Rastrelli stepped up with an impressive performance of her own, taking 4th in 19:27.34. Not far behind, Eden Metz continued Warsaw’s front-running presence with a 5th place finish in 19:44.17. The Tigers’ pack sealed the team win as Abi Marsh (12th, 20:51.47), Hannah Fisher (13th, 20:52.50), and Katie Robertson (16th, 20:58.13) worked shoulder to shoulder to finish as a group. Junior Savannah Purdy closed the door with a gutsy performance, crossing 20th overall in 21:14.49. This unified effort exemplified what Warsaw cross country is about: each athlete stepping up, running for each other, and securing a convincing team title heading into the postseason. The junior varsity Tigers carried the momentum right into their race, dominating the field and winning with a team score of just 27 points. Northridge followed in 2nd with 50, while Goshen (75), Northwood (83), and Wawasee (138) rounded out the team scoring. Leading the way, Eden Gackenheimer claimed the JV individual title in 21:25.62, followed closely by Matilda Granger in 2nd at 21:31.84. The depth of the Tigers showed as Stephanie Malagon (6th, 22:24.64), Aubrey Bricker (7th, 22:35.43), and senior Bronwyn Poch (11th, 23:24.85) rounded out the scoring, locking in another team victory and an overall program sweep. See the full meet results by clicking here: https://www.arrowliveresults.com/NLCChampionshipWomensRace