SASKATOON – It was a historic day for the UBC Okanagan Heat women's cross country program on Saturday as the team claimed a silver medal at the Canada West Championships hosted by the Saskatchewan Huskies at Victoria Park.
The Heat were led by their dynamic duo of Joanna Brown of Carp, Ont., and Lauren McNeil of Buxton, England. Brown, a 2020 Olympian in the sport of triathlon, edged out her teammate by 0.2 seconds in 28 minutes, 43.4 seconds to claim the individual gold medal while McNeil, an exchange student, took home individual silver in 28:43.6.
The duo led from start to finish and wound-up finishing more than 38 seconds ahead of their nearest competitor, Glynis Sim from the UBC Thunderbirds who won the bronze medal.
"It is very special to win because it is a reflection of the work we have put in as a team and the dedication that the whole team shows to being competitive in our conference," said Brown on her team's performance. "I am grateful to the coaches at UBCO and all the athletes on the team that have welcomed me back to U SPORTS this year."
However, it wasn't just Brown and McNeil making headlines on the day as a strong team effort helped the team claim their first-ever Canada West medal.
Fifth-year Camille Galloway of Whitehorse, Y.T., finished 13th after posting a time of 30:31.1, rookie Kirsten Smith of Georgetown, Ont., finished 19th in 30:54.8 and second-year Eliyah Brawdy of Smithers, B.C., was 30th in 31:51.8.
Their efforts meant the Heat finished with 60 points as a team, only finishing behind the Thunderbirds who claimed the conference championship with 46 points.
"I am thrilled for our result today as every single member on our women's team raced with their best efforts today," commented head coach Malindi Elmore after the race. "We knew we had a great opportunity to podium today, and it was very exciting to see Joanna and Lauren battle for the gold in the final stretch. For our long-time veteran Camille to clinch a second team all-star in her final season of eligibility today was also amazing. Our rookie Kristen also had a best race of the year to nab a top 20 position. We are looking forward to our last race in three weeks in Quebec and have big goals for that meet too."
Following the race, Brown was named the Canada West Female Athlete of the Year while McNeil won the Canada West Female Rookie of the Year. In addition, Elmore was named the women's Canada West Coach of the Year.
In addition, both Brown and McNeil were both recognized as Canada West First Team All-Stars for finishing inside the Top 7 while Galloway was honoured as a Canada West Second Team All-Star for finishing between 8th and 14th.
The team medal marks the second time this season that a Heat program has captured a Canada West silver medal, following in the footsteps of the women's golf team who claimed silver earlier this month at their championship. They join the women's volleyball team, who won silver in 2015-16, as the only Heat programs to win a Canada West medal.
The Heat will now set their sights on the U SPORTS Championships, set for three weeks' time in Quebec City. The event, hosted on the historic Plains of Abraham, will see UBCO compete against the best programs in the country on Saturday, November 20.
Women's Team Standings
1. UBC Thunderbirds – 46 (Gold)
2. UBCO Heat - 60 (Silver)
3. Saskatchewan Huskies - 72 (Bronze)
4. Calgary Dinos - 101
5. Alberta Pandas - 106
6. Victoria Vikes - 113
7. Regina Cougars – 215
Women's Individual Results
1. Joanna Brown – 28:43.4 (Canada West Gold medalist; Canada West Athlete of the Year; Canada West First Team All-Star)
2. Lauren McNeil – 28:43.6 (Canada West Silver medalist; Canada West Rookie of the Year; Canada West First Team All-Star)
13. Camille Galloway – 30:31.1 (Canada West Second Team All-Star)
19. Kristen Smith – 30:54.8
30. Eliyah Brawdy – 31:51.8
55. Lys Milne – 33:16.0
64. Kate Milne – 33:56.8
