SEATTLE — In their second indoor meet of the year, Saint Mary's Men's Track sent a group of 13 runners to compete in a pair of races at the UW Invite. Eight Gaels ran in the 76 runner field in the 3000m race, while five more took part in the 40 student-athlete 5000m race. This was the Gaels second of three indoor events this season.

The day began for the Gaels with the 5000m race. Francisco Felix Jr paced the Gaels with a time of 14:42.62, good for eighth in his heat of 24, and 24th overall in the field of 40. Making his track debut for the Gaels, Amelio Chio was the next best finisher for Saint Mary's, placing 31st with a PR time of 14:55.35. Felix and Chio were the only two Gaels to break the 15 minute mark. Rounding out the group of the top three finishers for the Gaels was Anthony Erikson, who, like Chio, put up a career best time in the event at 15:01.50. Aidan Donovan (37th, 15:17.47) and Luther Hart (39th, 15:28.55) also ran in this event for the Gaels. 

The 3000m race had a heftier field, with 76 total runners. For many of the competing Gaels it was their first time running this distance in collegiate competition. That statement was true for the Gaels top two finishers, Alexandro Alvarez and Jonathan Velasco. Alvarez was the Gaels best finisher with a time of 8:19.28, good for 43rd. Velasco was not far behind him, finishing in 50th with a time of 8:21.65. Elon transfer Zane Jackson was one of the few Saint Mary's runners who had competed in this event in the past, but it didn't stop him from throwing down a PR of 8:23.04, finishing one spot behind Velasco. Julius Largaespada also had experience in this distance at his previous school, and ran a PR time of 8:27.78, good for 57th. Rounding out the group of Gaels competitors were Jason Habash (65th, 8:37.70), Ethan Gray (66th, 8:37.95), Daniel Martinez (72nd, 8:43.68), and Aidan Doherty (76th, 9:11.50).

The Gaels will have one final indoor race of the season, once again returning to Seattle for the Husky Classic, which will take place on February 14 - 15. 

#GaelsRise