CAMROSE, Alta. – The UBC Okanagan Heat women's cross country team claimed their third conference podium finish in four years on Saturday as they won the bronze medal at the 2024 Canada West Championships hosted by the University of Alberta at Stoney Creek Park.
Lauren McNeil of Buxton, England led the way for the Heat winning her second Canada West silver medal, repeating the feat she first accomplished three years ago as an exchange student.
"I'm very happy by the efforts on the team today with some outstanding performances," commented Heat head coach
Malindi Elmore following the race. "A bronze medal against very strong teams from Victoria and UBC will set us up for another great team competition at U SPORTS in two weeks' time."
McNeil was one of five Heat finishers to post a Top 25 result in the 55-athlete field as she charged out with eventual champion Constance Nankivell from Trinity Western early in the race. The second-year runner would eventually post a time of 29 minutes, 16.6 seconds to win the silver medal, 38 seconds back of Nankivell and 39 seconds ahead of bronze medal winner Holly MacGillivray from UBC.
Fourth-year
Kristen Smith of Georgetown, Ont., competing in her final Canada West Championship, had a massive day as she finished seventh overall, posting a time of 30:28.0. That time was good enough for a nod as a Canada West First Team All-Star, joining McNeil to give the Heat a pair of first-team all-stars.
"I am proud of
Kristen Smith with her seventh-place finish in her last year with the Heat which is a huge person best run and such a huge improvement over four years with us," added Elmore on her senior runner.
Another notable finish for UBCO came from rookie
Sophie Hamilton of Salmon Arm, B.C. Hamilton posted a 23
rd place finish in the race, thanks to a time of 32:06.7, which was the top finish by a rookie at the meet and earned her the distinction of Rookie of the Year, Female Competition.
The remaining Heat scorers were
Brooke Lawlor of Vernon, B.C., who was 20
th in 32:00.9 while
Lys Milne of Salmon Arm, B.C., was 21
st in 32:03.3.
As a team, the Heat would earn 72 points, finishing behind only the gold medalist Victoria Vikes, who had 45 points, and the UBC Thunderbirds, the silver medalists, who had 52 points.
UBCO will now begin preparations for the 2024 U SPORTS Championships which they will host at Mission Recreation Park in Kelowna on Saturday, November 9.
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Victoria Vikes – 45
2. UBC Thunderbirds – 52
3. UBCO Heat – 72
4. Saskatchewan Huskies – 111
5. Alberta Pandas – 164
6. Calgary Dinos – 166
HEAT INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
2.
Lauren McNeil – 29:16.6 – Silver Medalist – Canada West 1
st Team All-Star
7.
Kristen Smith- 30:28.0 – Canada West 1
st Team All-Star
20.
Brooke Lawlor – 32:00.9
21.
Lys Milne – 32:03.3
23.
Sophie Hamilton – 32:06.7 – Canada West Rookie of the Year, Female Competition – Canada West All-Rookie Team
29.
Ella Wigmore – 32:22.2
38.
Madelyn Kaban – 33:06.1
