XC | Voyageurs Make Strides in Waterloo
Laurentian's Cross Country Running team competed at the Don Mills Open this past weekend hosted by the University of Waterloo. Laurentian squared off against nine Ontario universities over a six kilometre distance on the Columbia Lake fields on the Waterloo campus. With the OUA Championships being contested on the same course at the end of October, the race provided an opportunity for the Vees to get a feel for the course and improve upon their performances from a week ago at the Western Invitational.
The Laurentian women had two standout performances with Kristen Mrozewski and Angela Mozzon both placing in the top-15 in a field of 88 women. Mrozewski, a third year nursing student (Sudbury), placed 14th in a time of 23:05. Mozzon, a fifth year education student (Sudbury) placed just a second behind in 15th place, in a time of 23:06. Other Laurentian runners contributing to the team score included Sarah Booth (Peterborough), 54th in 25:00, Charlotte Grenier (Sudbury), 61st in 25:30, and Meredith Kusnierczyk (Sudbury), 65th in 25:44. Other Vees competing included Abbey Maillet (Dundas), 68th in 26:14, Claire Scholl (Newmarket), 70th in 26:34, and Abby Lanteigne (Sudbury), 75th in 26:56. The Laurentian women placed 6th in the team standings.
The Laurentian men were again led by fifth year psychology student Keon Wallingford (North Bay) who placed 20th in the field of 120 competitors in a time of 19:16. Wallingford was followed by second year SPAD student, Seamus Doherty (Acton) who placed 45th in 19:56. Other scorers for Laurentian included Brandon Radey (Sudbury), 64th in 20:34, Cameron Date (Haileybury), 67th in 20:38, and Patrick Leroux (Wingham), 69th in 20:41. Also competing for the Vees were Owen Roney (Sudbury), 86th in 21:26, Aurel Fox (Sudbury), 92nd in 21:47, Travis Annett (Sudbury), 93rd in 21:48, and Keegan Lockley (Petawawa), 98th in 22:00. The Laurentian men placed 5th in the team standings.
"Both squads definitely responded today as we were able to reduce the gap between our top five runners and it allowed us to beat a few schools that placed ahead of us last weekend at the Western meet", noted Vees Head Coach, Darren Jermyn. "Kristen and Angela raced extremely well together, particularly after a fast start and seeing them near the front of the pack is a great reward for how hard they have been training this season. Keon continues to progress after a lengthy layoff from injury and his top-20 performance today is definitely a sign he is returning to form."
The Vees will return to action on October 13th at the McMaster Bayfront Open in Hamilton.
RESULTS: Don Mills Waterloo Open 8km Team Scores
Women
1. McMaster University – 43 points
2. University of Toronto – 49 points
3. Waterloo Warriors – 79 points
4. University of Guelph – 110 points
5. Wilfrid Laurier University – 135 points
6. Laurentian University – 148 points
7. Brock University – 164 points
8. Toronto Metropolitan University – 239 points
Men
1. McMaster University – 30 points
2. University of Toronto – 44 points
3. Brock University – 88 points
4. University of Guelph – 113 points
5. Laurentian University – 147 points
6. University of Waterloo – 173 points
7. York University – 177 points
8. Wilfrid Laurier University – 180 points
9. Toronto Metropolitan University – 277 points