SALEM, Ore. — Saint Mary's Women's Cross Country continued to roll, winning their second consecutive meet, this week at the Charles Bowles Invitational. The Gaels won the Pacific Invite last week, and kept the momentum rolling for their second consecutive team race win. This is the first time in nearly a decade that the Gaels have won two events in the same season. 

Kaylee Barnes paced the Gaels again, with a blazing fast 17:13.3 5K, good for fourth. This was Barnes first time running a 5K since her prep career, and she bested her previous PR by nearly 90 seconds. Barnes was the lone Gael to finish in the top-10, however three more Gaels finished in the top-20, led by Eleanor Jepsen, who finished in 11th. This was also Jepsen's first collegiate 5K, finishing sub-18 minutes at 17:41.5. Luna Mole was the third and final Gael to break the 18 minute mark, finishing 15th at 17:57.8. 

Emily Field just missed a sub 18 5K, finishing one spot behind Mole with a time of 18:00.7. Klara Frih, Andrea Villegas and Jane Harig finished in spots 23, 24 and 25 respectively, all sub 18:30. The Gaels finished atop the race standings in front of Southern Idaho, the third ranked team in the NJCAA, finishing in second, and Hawaii, finishing in third. 

UP NEXT
The Gaels will be back on the course in two weeks in their most local meet, the Santa Clara Invite. The event will take place at Baylands Park in Sunnyvale.

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