It was a big weekend for cross country running in Canada with both the Athletics Ontario and USports Championships going off Sunday. The Lions were represented by small contingents at both events.
In Bracebridge, only two Lions took part in the provincial championships with 15 year old Katie Newlove leading the way with a fourth place finish in the midget girls race. Newlove completed the 4 kilometre course in a time of 16 minutes 12 seconds, equal to that of bronze medalist Sophie Coutts of the Central Toronto Athletic Club. In fact the top five placings were only separated by three seconds. Newlove’s teammate, Elana Tyman was 55th in the field of 119 girls.
At the USports Championships in Victoria, the top finisher was Carleton University’s Jenna Van Vliet. A graduate student in engineering, Van Vliet, placed 30th in the field of 150 in a time of 30 minutes 17 seconds. It was a familiar course for the Raven who was a member of the University of Victoria’s cross country team while completing her undergraduate degree.
Also in the women’s race, University of Ottawa freshman Keili Shepherd was 62nd overall in a time of 30 minutes 59 seconds.
The Gee Gee men were represented by Alex Berhe and Ziyad El-Hankouri who were tightly bunched, finishing 79th and 82nd respectively. Berhe completed the 10 kilometre course in a time of 33:34, 9 seconds ahead of El-Hankouri.
The cross country season will culminate in two weeks time at the Canadian Championships to be held at the historic Fort Henry in Kingston.
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