LODI, Calif. — For just the third time this century, the Saint Mary's Gaels Men's Cross Country team took a top-five finish in the WCC Championship race, placing fifth. This is the fourth time that the Gaels have placed fifth in the last 24 years, doing so in 2015, 2016 and 2021. The last time the Gaels placed better than fifth was all the way back in 1999, when they placed 2nd, the program's record best finish.

Zane Jackson once again paced the Gaels, placing in 27th place with a time of 24:44.2. Jackson showed a steady climb, opening the race in 36th at the 2K split before jumping six spots at the 4K split, and three more into 27th at the 6K mark. The pace stayed the same, however, for the final 2K stretch, as he stayed put in 27th at the finish line.

Jacob Moffett finished just seven spots behind Jackson with a time of 24:55.8. The Stockton native ran a solid race back in familiar territory. Curtis Volf checked in with a time of 25:12.0, good for 38th. For Volf, a senior out of Longmont, Colorado, this was likely his final WCC Championship Competition. 

Jason Habash made a big surge late in the race for the Gaels, jumping seven spots in the final 2K to lock up 40th, while Eric Martinez rounded out the top five finishers for the Gaels, taking 43rd. 

The Gaels finished in fifth overall, behind champions Portland, as well as Washington State, Gonzaga and Santa Clara. All 15 All-WCC spots were occupied by runners from the top three finishing schools, Portland, Washington State and Gonzaga. 

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