WXC | Voyageurs Start Season with Top 5 Finish

he Laurentian University women's and men's cross-country running teams competed at the Bill Salter/Western International on the weekend, returning with a 5th and 8th place finishes, respectively.

The women's squad was led by Megan Crocker, who placed 22nd with a time of 22:38 over the 6km course. She was closely followed by Nicole Rich, who was 25th in 22:50; Breanne Steven who had a breakthrough race finishing 31st in 23:03; Jessie Nusselder who finished 35th with a 23:13;  and rookie Sarah Thackery who finished 59th with a 23:55. Displacers were Meghan Sippel, who finished 74th in 24:56 and Miranda Boudreau who was 89th in 25:46.

The women scored a total of 138 points for fifth place, just 2 points behind 4th place Laurier.

"This was a good race for us," said coach, Dick Moss. "We held three runners out of this race because of summer injuries. But most of the girls who ran improved over last year's time, and we not only matched last year's 5th place finish, we were 22 points better."

Individual Results - Laurentian Women
22, Megan Crocker, 22:38
25, Nicole Rich, 22:50
31, Breanne Steven, 23:03
35, Jessie Nusselder, 23:13
59, Sarah Thackery, 23:55
74, Meghan Sippel, 24:56
89, Miranda Boudreau, 25:46

Team Results - Women
1 Guelph Gryphons, 39
2 Queen's Gaels, 58
3 Western Mustangs, 68
4 Laurier Golden Hawks, 136
5 Laurentian Voyageurs, 138 
6 Toronto Varsity Blues, 151 
7 McMaster Marauders, 197 
8 Windsor Lancers, 231 
9 Waterloo Warriors, 256 
10 Fanshawe Falcons, 257 
11 Nipissing Lakers, 308 
12 Ryerson Rams, 342 
13 Sheridan Bruins, 343 
14 Olivet Comets (Michigan), 404