For the first time in 13 years, the Ontario High School Cross Country Championships are returning to Ottawa. This year’s crop of runners took their first strides toward OFSAA glory this past week, battling it out for conference bragging rights at the NCSSAA Championships.
The East Conference Championships kicked things off last Wednesday at the Hornet’s Nest in Blackburn Hamlet, where Ottawa Lions athletes captured three individual titles.
In the Novice Girls 4k, Reve McInnes (Glebe CI) claimed silver with a time of 15:57, followed closely by Kira Coldrey (Colonel By SS), who took bronze in 16:10.
The Junior Girls 5k saw an impressive victory from Laila Lebel (Colonel By SS), crossing the line in 19:49. Hot on her heels was Riley Daniels (The Element HS), who secured the silver medal with a time of 20:08.
In the Senior Girls 6k, Tessa Knight (ÉSC Franco-Cité) continued the Lions’ success, winning gold by a comfortable 10-second margin, clocking in at 24:19.
The Senior Boys 6k produced a thrilling finish as Daniel Cova (ÉSP Louis-Riel) and Saul Taler (Glebe CI) crossed the line almost in unison. Cova was awarded the victory by just 0.2 seconds, with both athletes finishing at 20:01.
The following day, attention shifted to the West Conference Championship at the Kanata Recreation Centre, where Lions athletes delivered similarly outstanding performances.
In the Novice Girls 4k, Alexandra Harris (John McCrae SS) dominated the field, winning gold with a time of 15:28. Charlie Fee (Nepean HS) took the silver medal, finishing more than a minute later in 16:30.
Dahlia Loreti (ÉSC Pierre-Savard) claimed the Junior Girls 5k crown with a time of 20:31, while Luke Van Brabant (Earl of March SS) showcased his strength by winning the Junior Boys 5k in 17:38.
The Senior Girls 6k saw a Lions podium sweep. Bridget Jeffrey (St. Francis Xavier HS) took gold in 23:17, followed by Grace Streek (Peak Centre Academy) in silver with a time of 24:04, and Kyra Lauter (CC Franco-Ouest) rounding out the top three with bronze in 24:22.
On the boys’ side, it was another Lions sweep as Jackson McKercher (John McCrae SS) led the way in the Senior Boys 6k, winning in 20:29. Brennan Lee (St. Mother Teresa HS) finished just two seconds behind to claim silver in 20:31, while Barrett Goold (Sir Robert Borden HS) took bronze in 20:41.
Next up is the NCSSAA Championships, scheduled for Thursday, October 24, in Kanata. Athletes will have the chance to qualify for the provincial championships by finishing in the top two in any of the six team title races or being among the top five finishers not on a qualifying team.
Good luck to all the runners as they continue their journey toward OFSAA!