COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – Charleston Southern's Women's Cross Country team placed 14^th at the Arturo Barrios Invitational on Friday morning at the Watts Cross Country Course. The Buccaneers had each of their eight runners who finished the race record a new personal best time in the 6K with seven of the student-athletes slashing at least 30 seconds off it as well as some by over a full minute. The race featured over 400 entries and 41 teams competing at it.

"We had good performances from the ladies today in a tough field," said Karl Thiessen, Assistant Coach for Track & Field and Cross Country. "Today was a great experience in building confidence and learning how to maneuver a large field, which will help us as we head into postseason races."
 
Sarah McCartney was the top finisher for the Bucs finishing in 32^nd with a 20:08.7, slashing nearly 40 seconds off her personal best. Keerstin Augustin was the next to cross the line for CSU and took 50^th overall as she went under 21 minutes for the first time in her career, slashing over 45 seconds off her previous personal best.
 
Elizabeth Shaylor and Katrina Husby were the third and fourth finishers for the team, taking 125^th and 140^th overall. They each broke their previous career bests in the 6K by over a full minute as they ran 21:18.1 and 21:28.5. Sarah Jacobs placed 182^nd and was the fifth finisher for the team with her time of 21:50.5, nearly a full minute PR.

"Sarah ran well as our low stick, followed by Keerstin and Elizabeth, who both ran incredibly tough races," shared Thiessen.
 
Taylar White and Kallie Henderson were the next finishers for the Buccaneers, taking sixth and seventh on the team to round out their top seven with times of 22:06.9 and 22:19.5. White's time was a career best by nearly a full minute. Charlize Antia was the final CSU runner to finish the race and had a time of 23:02.0.
 
Gonzaga won the team title with a score of 74 with Boise State as the runner-up with 133. The Buccaneers had a team score of 482 and knocked off teams from Power 5 and Group of 5 conferences including North Texas, New Mexico State, Baylor, Arkansas State, TCU, Texas State, Arizona State, Louisiana, Houston, UTEP, Sam Houston and UTSA.

Thiessen said, "I think today's performance will help us gain steam for the upcoming conference and regional races. Go Bucs!"
 
Charleston Southern will now turn their attention to the Big South Championships which will be held on the campus of the university on the morning of Friday, November 1. The Buccaneer women will be vying for their first-ever consecutive title at the race. For each of the past two seasons, Charleston Southern has claimed runner-up honors at the meet with both finishes marking their best in program history.