THUNDER BAY – Sports – With podium performances in every race, the Lakehead women’s team continued its dominance of the sport and captured the Cross Country University National Championships (CCUNC’s). So dominant was their performance that they almost doubled the points total of the second place Carlton Ravens.
On the men`s side, it was an extremely tight battle between Lakehead U and their main rivals from Laval. Every position in every race played a factor. In the end Lakehead`s combined score of 601 came up just shy of Laval`s 606. It was a hard fought battle and the Lakehead men bring home second place in the team standings.
In the race for overall individual titles, Thunderwolves Scott Hill and Erin Tribe both finished in second place among their respective fields. Frederic Touchette (Laval) and Kendra Murray (Carleton) were the overall individual aggregate champions.
On the women’s side, Jennifer Jackson, Erin Tribe, Bryana van Leeuwen, Alannah Maclean and Amie Mathews led the lady wolves to another title in dominating fashion, easily distancing themselves from the second place Carleton Ravens. Fresh off a 10th straight OUA title, the women stormed the event and captured their 11th National Title in the last 12 years.
Lakehead Program Director Adam Kates remarked, “Our women have been outstanding all year and skied extremely well throughout these championships. We look forward to keeping the hammer down with some solid recruiting this year and to refocus on next year’s National Championships on home turf in Thunder Bay.”
Going into this year’s national Championships, it was expected that the Lakehead men’s team would face their biggest challenge from the University of Laval.
After a tight back and forth week, which saw great racing and numerous Lakehead podium finishes, our men were beaten out for the team title by a mere 5 points (606-601). Lakehead racers, Scott Hill, Harry Seaton and Greg Kilroy led the team, finishing 2nd, 3rd and 5th respectively in the overall standings.
“It was a good fight,” said head coach Amanda Holdsworth. “Despite not coming home with a team banner we are proud of how our men’s team performed. Much credit and congratulations to the Laval athletes and coaches.”
