Friday, September 12
Charlotte, N.C.
Wake Forest University
vs
Queen City Invite
Demon Deacons Place First, Perez Wins Individual Title at Queen City Invite
9/12/2025 10:10:00 PM | Cross Country
Junior Angelina Perez crossed the line in 16:19.7 to claim first while three other Demon Deacons finished inside the top-10.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In their first meet of the 2025 season, the Wake Forest women's cross country team placed first overall at the Queen City Invite on Friday evening, highlighted by junior Angelina Perez claiming the individual title.
The Ringwood, N.J., native crossed the finish line in 16:19.7 to earn the first individual victory of her collegiate career, having previously placed as high as second at the Firetower Project CC meet last season.
Along with Perez, three other Demon Deacons placed inside the top-10, including two in the top five. Graduate student Maisie Wilmer finished just behind Perez in second place, clocking a time of 16:47.2.
Meanwhile, senior Mackenzie Hart earned the first top-five finish of her career, posting a time of 17:10.4 to claim fifth. Senior Katherine Lawson was the final Deac to finish in the top-10, as she placed eighth overall with a time of 17:21.10.
Rounding out the top five finishers for Wake Forest was sophomore Carlita Kaliher, who finished with a personal-best 5K time of 17:23.3 to earn 11th-place.
Four other Deacs placed inside the top-20, including redshirt sophomore Alyssa Preisano and freshman Mia Williams, who crossed the finish line in 12th and 13th place. Junior Palmer Walstad placed 19th, while graduate transfer Izzy Goldstein ended her first meet as a Demon Deacon in 20th.
Top Five Spread
Team Results
From the Staff
"It was a fantastic way to kick off the season, especially racing close to home and being surrounded by Deacs fans from near and far. The ladies ran strong and executed the race plan with confidence and composure. It was especially exciting to see some solid pack running and to come away with both the individual and team victories. I'm incredibly proud of their effort and grit, and I'm looking forward to carrying this momentum into Gans Creek in two weeks."- Associate Head Coach Ashley Bastron
Next Up
The Demon Deacons return to action next Friday, Sept. 19, as the men's team is set to compete at the adidas Wolfpack Invitational in Cary, N.C. The women's team, meanwhile, will return to competition on Friday, Sept. 26, at the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Mo.
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The Ringwood, N.J., native crossed the finish line in 16:19.7 to earn the first individual victory of her collegiate career, having previously placed as high as second at the Firetower Project CC meet last season.
Along with Perez, three other Demon Deacons placed inside the top-10, including two in the top five. Graduate student Maisie Wilmer finished just behind Perez in second place, clocking a time of 16:47.2.
Meanwhile, senior Mackenzie Hart earned the first top-five finish of her career, posting a time of 17:10.4 to claim fifth. Senior Katherine Lawson was the final Deac to finish in the top-10, as she placed eighth overall with a time of 17:21.10.
Rounding out the top five finishers for Wake Forest was sophomore Carlita Kaliher, who finished with a personal-best 5K time of 17:23.3 to earn 11th-place.
Four other Deacs placed inside the top-20, including redshirt sophomore Alyssa Preisano and freshman Mia Williams, who crossed the finish line in 12th and 13th place. Junior Palmer Walstad placed 19th, while graduate transfer Izzy Goldstein ended her first meet as a Demon Deacon in 20th.
Top Five Spread
| Place (Points) | Name | Time |
| 1 (1) | Angelina Perez | 16:19.7 |
| 2 (2) | Maisie Wilmer | 16:47.2 |
| 5 (5) | Mackenzie Hart | 17:10.4 |
| 8 (8) | Katherine Lawson | 17:21.0 |
| 11 (11) | Carlita Kaliher | 17:23.3 |
Team Results
| Place | School | Points |
| 1. | Wake Forest | 27 |
| 2. | Charlotte | 40 |
| 3. | Emory | 133 |
| 4. | Milligan | 135 |
| 5. | Queens (N.C.) | 158 |
From the Staff
"It was a fantastic way to kick off the season, especially racing close to home and being surrounded by Deacs fans from near and far. The ladies ran strong and executed the race plan with confidence and composure. It was especially exciting to see some solid pack running and to come away with both the individual and team victories. I'm incredibly proud of their effort and grit, and I'm looking forward to carrying this momentum into Gans Creek in two weeks."- Associate Head Coach Ashley Bastron
Next Up
The Demon Deacons return to action next Friday, Sept. 19, as the men's team is set to compete at the adidas Wolfpack Invitational in Cary, N.C. The women's team, meanwhile, will return to competition on Friday, Sept. 26, at the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Mo.
Follow The Demon Deacons
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | #GoDeacs
Players Mentioned
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