KELOWNA, B.C. - The UBC Okanagan Heat men's cross country team finished in eighth place in the team standings at the 2023 Canada West Championships hosted on Saturday at Mission Recreation Park.
 
Second-year management student Russell Pearson of Toronto, led the way for UBCO with a personal-best finish at the conference championship, finishing 34^th, improving his placing by 16 spots over his rookie year in 2022.
 
Pearson finished the eight-kilometer course in a time of 26 minutes, 19 seconds.
 
Not far behind Pearson was fellow second-year runner Isaac Baker of Surrey, B.C., who posted a time of 26:31 to finish in 38^th.
 
Three other members of the Heat managed to grab Top 50 finishes as Connor Baerg of Burlington, Ont., finished 47^th, Owen Lloyd of Cambridge, Ont., finished 48^th and Christopher Crowe of Kamloops, B.C., finished 50^th.
 
Charlie Kanuka of North Vancouver, B.C., (65^th) and rookie Joel Geake of Morden, Man., (67^th) rounded out the Heat scorers.
 
The UBC Thunderbirds claimed the men's team title for the third consecutive year, powered by a first-place finish from Andrew Davies.
 
UBCO will now set their sights on the U SPORTS Championships which are scheduled for two weeks' time in London, Ont. Hosted by the Western Mustangs, this year's national championship will be hosted at the Thames Valley Golf Course on Sunday, November 12.
 
TEAM STANDINGS
1. UBC Thunderbirds – 18 points
2. Victoria Vikes – 61 points
3. Alberta Golden Bears – 129 points
4. Saskatchewan Huskies – 162 points
5. Manitoba Bisons – 170 points
6. Calgary Dinos – 189 points
7. Trinity Western Spartans – 199 points
8. UBCO Heat – 217 points
9. Regina Cougars – 297 points 

HEAT INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
34. Russell Pearson – 26:19
38. Isaac Baker – 26:31
47. Connor Baerg – 26:55
48. Owen Lloyd – 26:58
50. Christopher Crowe – 27:01
65. Charlie Kanuka – 27:32
67. Joel Geake – 27:57
71. Caleb Graham – 28:21
72. Kyle Porter – 28:24
73. Basil Parkins – 28:36
74. Lucas Robertson – 28:50