MXC | Voyageurs 12th at Nationals
The Laurentian University men's cross-country running team competed at the U SPORTS cross country running championship at Kingston's Fort Henry on the weekend, with the team finishing twelfth in the nation.
Full teams from 19 schools participated in the event, plus individuals from an additional 10 schools.
The Laurentian squad was led by Liam Passi, who placed 35th with a time of 32:14 over the 10 kilometre course. He was followed by Eric Gareau, who was 66th in 32:58; Keon Wallingford who finished 72nd in 33:04 and was the sixth fastest rookie in the race; veteran Caleb Beland who was 88th in 33:44 and rookie Chase Canty, who completed the scoring by finishing 89th in 33:48. Displacers were Alexandre Fishbein-Ouimette and rookie, Nick Lambert who were 103rd and 123rd in 34:18 and 35:29 respectively.
Racing on a muddy course with winds gusting to 50 km/hour, the men scored a total of 350 points for their 12th-place finish and a top-five average time of 33:09. Their team score was one place and 35 points better than last year.
"We were pretty banged up after the OUAs. In fact, Eric was on crutches until a week ago. We initially didn't think either Eric or Keon would be able to race, but the guys got the "OK" just in time and the entire team put in a gutsy effort on race day," said men 's coach, Darren Jermyn. "I'm proud of the way they all competed, with special kudos to our seniors, Liam Pass and Caleb Beland."
"The men's team has made remarkable progress since they were reinstated five years ago," said head coach, Dick Moss. "In OUA competition, they've finished 12, 9, 8, 7 and this year, 6th. Last year was the first time they qualified for Nationals and placed 13th. This year, they've improved to the top-12. So, from top-12 in the OUA to top-12 in the country in five years. Darren and his athletes have done a tremendous job and things look promising for the future."
Individual Results - Laurentian Men (10km)
35. Liam Passi, 32:14
66. Eric Gareau, 32:58
72. Keon Wallingford, 33:04
88. Caleb Beland, 33:44
89. Chase Canty, 33:48
103. Alexandre Fishbein-Ouimette, 34:18
123. Nick Lambert, 35:29
Team Results - Men
1. Calgary, 63 points
2. McMaster, 82
3. Guelph, 82
4. Laval, 110
5. Windsor, 140
6. UBC, 150
7. Queens, 175
8. Alberta, 215
9. Victoria, 264
10. Toronto, 310
11. Western, 312
12. Laurentian, 350
13. Dalhousie, 367
14. Montreal, 394
15. Sherbrooke, 406
16. St. FX, 445
17. Manitoba, 461
18. Trinity Western, 475
19. Laurier, 563
20. Incomplete Teams: Ottawa, Regina, St. Mary's, Thompson Rivers, UBC Okanagan, U of New Brunswick, UQAM, UQTR, Memorial, Ryerson
This concludes Laurentian's cross-country running season, although Keon Wallingford and Chase Canty will compete for their clubs at the Athletics Canada nationals in Victoria on November 30. The remainder of the squad begins preparations for the indoor track season.