POMONA, Calif. -- Vanguard women's cross country is only getting faster, and the record book needs updating after Saturday morning's race at the Pomona-Pitzer Invite.  The Lions have a new best 6K time as a squad, as VU had a top-five group finish of 1:51:11 to place second behind Cal Poly Pomona and ahead of The Master's, APU, Westmont, and Hawaii Pacific.  While CPP and TMU had the top two individual placers, Lauren Pahl got a season-best finish in third with a time of 21:37.9, not only a podium but another school record at that distance.
 
What Happened?  After Pahl was the recent Pacific West conference Runner of the Week, Ella Murray, who placed sixth with a 21:55.6.  Just missing the top ten was Kate Baranski, whose 22:06.8 was good for 11th.  Madyson Nakamura was next in 23rd after crossing at the 22:32.6 mark of the race.  Kaitlyn Smith followed almost 20 seconds later (22:57.3) in 35th.
 
Zoe Tavares was 38th and just crossed the finish stripe before the timer hit 23 minutes (22:59.1).  Giselle Rubio placed 21st in a time of 23:05.2, Isabella Sword was 60th (23:32.5), while Haley Butenschoen came in 65th (23:36.5).  Sydney Sydney was 70th after crossing the line at 23:30.7, Hailey Quiroz had a 23:50.4 in 80th, Chase Suilivan was 101st with a mark of 24:25.8, Adrianna Huffstuttler was 122nd (24:43.5), Brady Wylie was 133rd (25:01), Macey Thomas was 139t (25:15.2), and Kaitlyn Barragan ended 142nd (25:19.8).
 
Emily Noyes placed 162nd, running the race in 25:49.3, and ZoeTheodora Taylor rounded out the lineup with a time of 27:02.8 in 184th
 
What was Said?  "Our ladies ran with great heart, focus, and determination today," said Head Coach Bryan Wilkins.  "I'm super proud of them.  We finished ahead of some very good teams."
 
What's Next?  The XC squads will take on another strong field at the UCR Highlander event the morning of October 18.