In her first year living and studying in Canada, exchange student and cross country star Lauren McNeil has managed to etch her name into the UBC Okanagan Heat's record books thanks to an unbelievable season

Hailing from Braxton, England, McNeil says she "chose UBCO because the Okanagan looked like a great place for outdoor activities with lots of good areas for my running," and has enjoyed being able to explore Canada through her athletic endeavors. McNeil notes the difference in terrain between Canada and her home country, saying "there is definitely less mud which is certainly a blessing when it comes to cleaning my spikes after a race".

The third-year science major has finished in either first or second place in every competition she has participated in this year, sharing the top slots with Olympian Joanna Brown. McNeil says that she feels "very privileged to be running and training with an Olympian […] as we are both supportive of each other and we work hard together". The strong performances from both women have been mutually beneficial as they have some competition which "means we can push each other to run fast".

Her strong performance through the season, including individual gold at the Vikes Invitational and again at the Trinity Western Invitational, earned McNeil a place at the Canada West Championships held in Victoria Park in Saskatoon, Sask. A second-place finish by McNeil in the Canada West Championship earned her the individual silver medal, as well as helping to propel the team towards a silver medal, making them the third ever Heat team to win a Canada West medal. McNeil clocked in at 28:43.6, which was over 38 seconds ahead of third place and only 0.2 seconds behind the first-place finish, Joanna Brown.

Her impressive performance earned her the honours of both being named a Canada West Rookie of the Year and Canada West First Team All-Star. The third-year exchange student had this to say about her successful season for the Heat:

"Although I had been training hard, I didn't know what to expect going into the race, so I was thrilled to come away with a silver medal and it was amazing that Jo and I placed first and second. I was shocked when they announced my name for Canada West Rookie of the Year, and it feels a real honour."

Following their success at the Canada West Championship, McNeil and the Heat travelled to the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City to compete in the 2021 U SPORTS Championship. The Buxton Bullet, as she's affenctionately known with her home club the Hallamshire Harriers, led for most of the race, and ultimately finished in a time of 28:28.2, which would be good for the silver medal.

"The course definitely suited me with the terrain and the hills. I felt pretty good and it was nice to have that competition out at the front, pushing me as well. There was that home crowd cheering for the Laval runner but I was able to get into my own zone."

The silver medal was not the only achievement McNeil would come home with, however, as she also earned the U SPORTS Rookie of the Year and the U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian. To close out her incredible season, McNeil has now become the first UBCO Heat cross country runner to win an individual medal and the second Heat athlete to earn the honour of receiving a major U SPORTS award.  

- written by Seyara Campbell