The 2023 Saint Mary's cross country squad officially hits the ground running with their first race of the year on September 1.

The Belles have a competitive slate of six races on the calendar for the fall season. The team opens the year at the Olivet Comet Open on Friday as they go back-and-forth between Michigan and Illinois for their first five events. The 5k race hosted by fellow MIAA member Olivet will be a chance for five newcomers to get acclimated to the collegiate racing scene while five returners will help pace the pack.

Leading the way among that group of returners are co-captains Amanda Tracy, Haley Greene, and Susanna Bernovich. Tracy and Greene both recorded their first sub-24 minute 6k races last fall. Bernovich was a consistent contributor to the squad as a top-five finisher four times while setting three PRs a season ago. Isabelle Auch was one of four members of the 2022 squad to race in each of the team's races last fall, and Mary Weber gained valuable experience while making significant gains over the span of six races a year ago.

Team Breakdown
Returners: Isabelle Auch (So.), Susanna Bernovich (Jr.), Haley Greene (Sr.), Amanda Tracy (Sr.), Mary Weber (So.)
Newcomers: Cecilia Conrad (Fr.), Sarah Harman (Sr.), Savannah Paulson (Fr.), Jordan Siminski (Fr.), Ellie York (Fr.)

Race time at the Olivet Comet Open is slated for 6:45 p.m. on Friday, September 1 at Broadway Acres Golf Course.