SALEM, Ore. – Freshman Ally Manley was the top collegiate finisher and set a new school record on Saturday as the Northwest Christian University women's cross country team took second place at the Charles Bowles Invitational, hosted by Willamette University. The Beacons topped eight Cascade Collegiate Conference schools as well as Biola University, ranked #3 in the latest NAIA national coaches poll.

NCU, currently ranked #5 in the NAIA, scored 82 points in a close finish behind champion British Columbia (69 points) who came into the race ranked #6 in the NAIA. Manley led the way at 17:36 to not only secure the top spot among collegiate runners and a new school record, but also defeating highly regarded CCC runners Karlee Coffey (Eastern Oregon) and Gina Paletta (Concordia). Coffey was the second-place finisher at the NAIA national championships last year and Paletta was recognized as the national runner of the week just two weeks ago.

Head Coach Heike McNeil said, “We decided to have Ally start out a little slower this time, and it really worked. She is a hard working machine and pushes herself incredibly hard in every practice and every race.”

Following was Brittany Petersen, the third collegiate runner and sixth-place finisher overall with a time of 17:49. Petersen also bested Paletta and was just 4.5 seconds behind Coffey. Stephanie Hescock was next for NCU in 16th, running an 18:24.

NCU's fourth runner was sophomore Ashley Kinney with a personal-best time of 18:47 to take 37th place. Freshman Emily Svendson McLean scored fifth-place points for NCU with her own personal record at 19:01.

Heidi Gori took 80th and also set a new PR at 19:37 and Sierra Schorer-Noll was right behind in 84th place (19:40). Allison Duvenez also secured a personal record at 20:05 (108th) and Riley Swanson was the next to cross the line in 20:06 (112th). Anita Fernandez (150th, 20:43) and Patricia Martinez (223rd, 26:00) also ran PRs in the event.

The women will next race on October 15th at the Concordia University Puma Classic where they will get their first look at The College of Idaho, ranked #7 in the NAIA and one of their stiff competitors in the CCC.