25 Lions qualify for OFSAA Cross Country

A new set of OFSAA dreams took another step closer to being realized Thursday at the National Capital Cross Country Championships. With runners advancing to next Saturday’s provincial championships via a spot on one of the top two teams in each of the three age categories or a top five finish among all other runners, an impressive 25 Lions will live to run another day – representing more than a quarter of all qualifiers.

While the fields of the Hornet’s Nest in Gloucester may better be known for soccer, they were filled with runners seeking some hardware and a opportunity to get that elusive OFSAA sweatshirt. While shut out in the novice category, Lions runner’s took home nine medals including three gold.

After a sub par performance at last year’s city championship, Joe Fast returned to the top of the medal stand with a dominating performance in the senior boy’s race. The grade 12 student completed the six kilometre course in 20 minutes and 50.2 seconds, an impressive 35 seconds ahead of training partner Adam Sanger of Glebe. Rounding out the Lions sweep of the senior boys podium was Callum Saravanamuttoo, also of Glebe.

Lions athletes swept the junior category titles with Yannick Meredith and Charlotte Murchison taking the boys and girls titles respectively. Meredith took a close  victory over fellow Lion Kyle Porter as he finished the five kilometre course in a time of 18 minutes and 47.3 seconds, less than three seconds ahead of Porter. Murchison’s margin was twice as big, winning in 20 minutes 53.1 seconds over Glebe’s Cara MacDonald. Rounding out the podium was Lion Gillian Porter in 21 minutes and 50.0 seconds.

In the senior girls race, the duo of Katie Newlove and Skye Pellerin took silver and bronze respectively. Newlove of St. Peter’s High School in Orleans finished the six kilometre race in 24 minutes and 59.6 seconds, 11 seconds ahead of Pellerin.

For a full list of qualifiers, please see below: