KELOWNA, B.C. – Third-year runner
Isaac Baker posted the third-best individual finish by a UBC Okanagan Heat men's cross country runner at the U SPORTS Championships on Saturday as the
Heat hosted the 2024 championships at Mission Recreation Park.
Baker, a native of Surrey, B.C., finished the very fast eight-kilometer course in a time of 24 minutes, 55 seconds to claim 76
th in the field of 152 runners.
That result trails only the 60
th place finish posted by
Connor Baerg in 2021 and a 74
th place showing for Michael Mitchell in 2019.
The result was also an improvement of 28 places from Baker's showing at the 2023 championships held in London, Ontario last season.
For the first time in team history, the Heat fielded a full men's team at the U SPORTS Championships, which they were hosting for the first time.
As a team, UBCO finished 21
st with 529 points.
Joining Baker in counting towards the Heat's team score were
Owen Lloyd (101
st),
Kyle Porter (121
st),
Aidan Small (132
nd) and
Christopher Crowe (133
rd).
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Queen's Gaels – 94 points
2. Sherbrooke Vert et Or – 130
3. Laval Rouge et Or – 145
4. Guelph Gryphons – 160
5. UNB Reds – 161
6. UBC Thunderbirds – 196
7. McMaster Marauders – 201
8. Western Mustangs – 254
9. Victoria Vikes – 266
10. McGill Redbirds – 273
11. Trinity Western Spartans – 285
12. Alberta Golden Bears – 294
13. Saskatchewan Huskies – 318
14. Montreal Carabins – 319
15. St. FX X-Men – 335
16. Regina Cougars – 367
17. Lakehead Thunderwolves – 437
18. Manitoba Bisons – 455
19. Waterloo Warriors – 490
20. Calgary Dinos – 513
21. UBCO Heat – 529
22. UPEI Panthers – 670
HEAT INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
76.
Isaac Baker – 24:55
101.
Owen Lloyd – 25:14
121.
Kyle Porter – 25:41
132.
Aidan Small – 26:04
133.
Christopher Crowe – 26:05
143.
Joel Worman – 26:37
