CALGARY – UBC Okanagan Heat women's cross country runner Lauren McNeil picked up right where she left off three years ago as she won her first race of the 2024 season on Saturday, winning the Stewart Cup hosted by the Calgary Dinos.
 
MacNeil, a native of Buxton, England who attended UBCO as an exchange student during the 2021 season, winning two meets while capturing silver at both the Canada West and U SPORTS Championships, was dominant against a strong field. The European Championships gold medalist in the women's team half marathon for Great Britain won comfortably, posting a time of 25 minutes, 53.3 seconds, over a minute ahead Trinity Western's Constance Nankivell.
 
Two other members of the Heat grabbed Top 20 finishes including Kristen Smith of Georgetown, Ont., who was seventh in 28:03.1 while Brooke Lawlor of Vernon, B.C., was 15^th in 28:51.6.
 
As a team, the Heat finished in third place with 68 points, trailing only the Victoria Vikes (38) and UBC Thunderbirds (48).
 
In the men's race, Owen Lloyd of Cambridge, Ont., led the way for the Heat as he finished 17^th in a deep field, posting a time of 24:32.6
 
Two other UBCO runners earned Top 35 finishes with Kyle Porter of Ottawa crossing in 26th in 25:02.5 while Isaac Baker of Surrey, B.C., was 33^rd in 25:10.0.
 
As a team, the Heat finished in eighth place with 164 points.
 
UBCO will now begin preparations for the 2024 Canada West Championships in two weeks' time in Camrose, Alta., their final event before hosting the 2024 U SPORTS Championships at Mission Recreation Park on Saturday, November 9.
 
WOMEN'S TEAM STANDINGS
1. Victoria Vikes - 38
2. UBC Thunderbirds - 48
3. UBCO Heat – 68
4. Saskatchewan Huskies – 101
5. Calgary Dinos – 117
6. Alberta Pandas – 170
 
HEAT WOMEN INDIVIDUAL FINISHERS
1. Lauren McNeil – 25:53.3
7. Kristen Smith – 28:03.1
15. Brooke Lawlor – 28:51.6
25. Lys Milne – 29:23.1
27. Ella Wigmore – 29:27.4
32. Sophie Hamilton – 29:44.3
44. Madelyn Kaban – 30:36.7
 
MEN'S TEAM STANDINGS
1. Victoria Vikes – 61
2. UBC Thunderbirds – 89
3. Trinity Western Spartans – 95
4. Saskatchewan Huskies – 102
5. Alberta Golden Bears – 115
6. Calgary Dinos – 131
7. Regina Cougars – 149
8. UBCO Heat – 164
 
HEAT MEN INDIVIDUAL FINISHERS
17. Owen Lloyd – 24:32.6
26. Kyle Porter – 25:02.5
33. Isaac Baker – 25:10.0
51. Aidan Small – 25:42.3
57. Joel Worman – 25:52.9
65. Christopher Crowe – 26:11.0
76. Basil Parkins – 26:48.2
77. Caleb Graham – 26:51.2
79. Joel Geake – 26:59.5