VICTORIA, B.C. – UBCO women's cross country runner
Lauren McNeil added the missing piece to her Heat trophy case on Saturday winning the individual gold medal at the 2025 Canada West Championships, leading her team to a bronze medal at the event.
McNeil, who has twice previously won the silver medal at the event, held off a stiff challenge from Victoria's Madelyn Eybergen to win the race in 27 minutes and 44 seconds. Her performance not only earned her the gold medal but also conference Athlete of the Year honours as well as a nod as a Canada West First Team All-Star.
Eybergen crossed the line in 27:52.2 to win silver while Mackenzie Campbell from the UBC Thunderbirds took home bronze in 29:35.8.
Two other members of the Heat turned in top 14 performances in the race to earn recognition as Canada West Second Team All-Stars. Last year's conference Rookie of the Year
Sophie Hamilton finished 10
th in 30:22.4 while
Tori Bouck earned all-star honours for the second time in her Heat career, finishing 11
th in 30:23.4.
Rookie
Maraid Johnson had an outstanding performance in her first Canada West Championship as she finished 23
rd, crossing the line in 31:31.7 to claim a spot on the Canada West All-Rookie team.
Ella Wigmore rounded out the Heat scorers in the race, finishing 33
rd in 32:18.7.
The team's performance of 71 points secured UBCO their second straight team bronze medal at the event, finishing behind the host Victoria Vikes who won the championship with 37 points, as well as the UBC Thunderbirds who took home silver with 54 points.
The Heat will close out the cross country season in two weeks' time when they head to Quebec for the 2025 U SPORTS Championships. The event is set for Saturday, November 8 and will be hosted by the Sherbrooke Vert et Or.
HEAT INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
1.
Lauren McNeil – 27:44.0 (Gold Medalist, Athlete of the Year, 1
st Team All-Star)
10.
Sophie Hamilton – 30:22.4 (2
nd Team All-Star)
11.
Tori Bouck – 30:23.5 (2
nd Team All-Star)
23.
Maraid Johnson – 31:31.7 (All-Rookie Team)
33.
Ella Wigmore – 32:18.
40. Sharanya Vijayaragahaven – 32:52.6
52.
Tessa Coyle – 33:59.0
59.
Anna Lynn – 35:01.2
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Victoria Vikes – 37 points
2. UBC Thunderbirds – 54
3. UBCO Heat – 71
4. Calgary Dinos – 93
5. Alberta Pandas – 108
6. Saskatchewan Huskies – 152
CANADA WEST MAJOR AWARDS
Women's Champion (Harold Wright Trophy): Victoria Vikes
Athlete of the Year: Lauren McNeil, UBCO
Rookie of the Year: Jenna Conrad, Calgary
Women's Team Coach of the Year: Hilary Stellingwerff, Victoria
Student-Athlete Community Service Award, Female Competition: Attleigh Maloney, Saskatchewan
CANADA WEST ALL-STARS
First Team
Lauren McNeil, UBCO
Madelyn Eybergen, Victoria
Mackenzie Campbell, UBC
Erin Owens, Victoria
Olivia Cooper, Alberta
Marisha Thompson, Victoria
Chloe Turner, Calgary
Second Team
Ella Lane, Victoria
Sarah MacGillivray, UBC
Sophie Hamilton, UBCO
Tori Bouck, UBCO
Natalie Boston, Alberta
Elysse Fleming, UBC
Abby Ylipahkala, UBC
CANADA WEST ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Jenna Conrad, Calgary
Mazy McFarling, UBC
Maraid Johnson, UBCO
Clare Goodison, UBC
Ella Ballard, Victoria
