WXC | Gaels Trek to SoCal for Highlander Invitational, hosted by UC Riverside

MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's Women's Cross Country team is set for their third race of the season at the UC Riverside Invitational this Saturday, September 24th.

The Gaels look to build on their performance from the Kim Duyst Invitational, where a group of younger runners gained valuable experience to carry throughout the rest of the fall. In her second collegiate race of her career, freshman Kelsea Cummings led the way for the Gaels recording a personal best time in the 6k, clocking in at 22:23.3. Finishing after her was sophomore Ava Luczkow who also earned her personal best time, crossing the line at 22:39.2. Andrea Villegas (22:39.9) finished third for the Gaels, less than one second behind Luczkow. Rounding off the scoring for Saint Mary's were Jane Carney (23:36.0) and Kylie Wisely (24:42.4).

Running this weekend at the UC Riverside Invitational will be senior Kaylee Barnes, juniors Eleanor Jepsen and Jane Carney, sophomores Jane Harig and Ava Luczkow, and freshmen Zoe Leach, Courtney Fitzgibbon, Flavia Linares, Maya Crimin, and Kelsea Cummings. Of these runners, Kaylee Barnes has the fastest 6k which she earned at the 2024 Bronco Invitational. Barnes also led the Gaels in the only race she has competed in this season, placing 12th in the USF Invitational.

The UC Riverside Invitational will take place at the UCR Agricultural Operations Course on September 24th. The course is deceptive, appearing flat, fast and easy at first, but with a large difference in elevation from one end of the course to the other. The west end, at about the 1.5 mile mark, is 100 feet lower than the start/finish area, and runners tend to go out fast only to find the return home challenging. The women will compete in the 6k race at 7:15 AM.

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Players Mentioned

Kaylee Barnes: 5' 5"; Junior

Jane Carney: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Eleanor Jepsen: 5' 4"; Sophomore

Jane Harig: 5' 7"; Freshman

Ava Luczkow: 5' 6"; Freshman

Andrea Villegas: 4' 11"; Junior

Courtney Fitzgibbon: 5' 6"; Freshman

Flavia Linares: 5' 3"; Freshman

Kelsea Cummings: Freshman

Kylie Wisely: 5' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kaylee Barnes
: 5' 5"; Junior

Jane Carney
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Eleanor Jepsen
: 5' 4"; Sophomore

Jane Harig
: 5' 7"; Freshman

Ava Luczkow
: 5' 6"; Freshman

Andrea Villegas
: 4' 11"; Junior

Courtney Fitzgibbon
: 5' 6"; Freshman

Flavia Linares
: 5' 3"; Freshman

Kelsea Cummings
: Freshman

Kylie Wisely
: 5' 6"; Freshman