VANCOUVER – The UBC Okanagan Heat cross country teams participated in their first race of the 2024 season on Sunday as they competed in the Vancouver Spirit Run hosted at Jericho Beach Park.
On the women's side, three runners earned Top 20 showings in the 8km race led by fourth-year
Kristen Smith of Georgetown, Ont.
Smith had an excellent performance, shaving 46 seconds off her time from a year ago to grab sixth place in a time of 30 minutes, 34 seconds. She also finished just two seconds back of last year's U SPORTS individual champion, Katie Newlove who came in fourth place.
Joining Smith in the Top 20 on the women's side were
Brooke Lawlor of Vernon, B.C., and
Lys Milne of Salmon Arm, B.C. Lawlor was 14th in a time of 31:38 while Milne was 16th in 31:58.
On the men's side, three Heat runners also secured Top 20 results in the 8km race, with third-year
Owen Lloyd of Cambridge, Ont., leading the charge.
Similarly to Smith, Lloyd also had a much-improved performance from 2023 in the same race, cutting a minute and four seconds off his time from a year ago to place 12th in 26:45.
Finishing just five seconds behind Lloyd was
Kyle Porter of Ottawa, who finished 13th in 26:50 while
Isaac Baker crossed the line in 17th in 27:04.
The Heat have two races remaining before they host the 2024 U SPORTS Cross Country Championships in November, with their next event coming on Saturday, October 12 in Calgary when they run in the Stewart Cup, hosted by the Calgary Dinos.
UBCO Women's Results
6.
Kristen Smith – 30:34
14.
Brooke Lawlor – 31:38
16.
Lys Milne – 31:58
21.
Ella Wigmore – 32:31
24.
Madelyn Kaban – 33:06
33.
Tessa Coyle – 35:58
36.
Nora Prince – 38:00
40.
Felicity Hanson – 40:57
DNF –
Tori Bouck
DNF – Sharanya Vijayaragahaven
DNF –
Abigail Yakemchuk
UBCO Men's Results
12.
Owen Lloyd – 26:45
13.
Kyle Porter – 26:50
17.
Isaac Baker – 27:04
34.
Aidan Small – 28:14
35.
Christopher Crowe – 28:16
37.
Charlie Kanuka – 28:31
39.
Joel Geake – 28:39
40.
Caleb Graham – 28:43
41.
Joel Worman – 28:48
45.
Lucas Robertson – 29:11
51.
Trevor Robertson – 29:46
57.
Basil Parkins – 30:40
58.
Ezra Ganske – 31:11
