CALGARY – Abigail Yakemchuk of the UBCO women's cross country team continued her impressive collegiate campaign, capturing her third medal of the season at the Canada West Championships.
The Surrey, B.C., native claimed bronze in a competitive 60-person field on Saturday at the Canada West Championships, hosted by the Calgary Dinos at St. Mary's University.
"It was a tough course, and I am thrilled to finish third in my last Canada West Championships," Yakemchuk said.
Crossing the finish line of the eight-kilometre race in 30 minutes and 44 seconds, Yakemchuk finished 19 seconds ahead of Elissa Frielink of the Victoria Vikes, who finished fourth, using a strong opening two laps to establish separation. For her podium finish, the applied sciences student was named a Canada West First Team All-Star.
"Abigail did a great job running with the front pack and pulling away from the main pack over the last half of the race," said head coach Malindi Elmore. "We knew the Victoria women would press, and she fought hard for a bronze medal today. It's a great way for her to cap her Canada West career."
The Heat placed fifth with a total of 123 points, while the Victoria Vikes captured first, sweeping both the women's and men's titles at the event for the second straight year. Both the gold and silver medal winners were from the Vikes as Madelyn Eybergen, last year's silver medallist, finished first in 29:16, while Marisha Thompson took home silver with a time of 29:57.
"The women's team had a solid showing after managing a few injuries this year," Elmore said. "Ella Wigmore, a senior, ran a strong final Canada West race today as well."
Rounding out the UBCO results, Wigmore and Sophie Hamilton finished 31st and 33rd, respectively, with times of 32:53 and 33:13, while Anna-Veronika Titova (40th – 33:44) and Maraid Johnson (42nd, 33:46) also scored points while crossing the line just two seconds apart.
HEAT INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
3. Abigail Yakemchuk – 30:44 – First Team All-Star
31. Ella Wigmore – 32:53
33. Sophie Hamilton – 33:13
40. Anna-Veronika Titova – 33:44
42. Maraid Johnson – 33:46
48. Tessa Coyle – 34:59
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Victoria Vikes – 35 points
2. UBC Thunderbirds – 39
3. Alberta Pandas – 82
4. Calgary Dinos – 110
5. UBCO Heat – 123
6. Saskatchewan Huskies – 144
CANADA WEST MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Champion (Harold Wright Trophy): Victoria Vikes
Team Coach of the Year: Hilary Stellingwerff, Victoria
Rookie of the Year: Hailie Robertson, Victoria
Student-Athlete Community Service Award: Amaia Ervin-Arambarri, Calgary
Athlete of the Year: Madelyn Eybergen, Victoria
CANADA WEST FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
Madelyn Eybergen, Victoria
Marisha Thompson, Victoria
Abigail Yakemchuk, UBCO
Elissa Frielink, Victoria
Mia Zurkovic, UBC
Sarah MacGillivray, UBC
Natalie Boston, Alberta
CANADA WEST SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Grace Beach, UBC
Clare Goodison, UBC
Jamie Gladdish, Alberta
Katelyn Cotterrell, UBC
Brooke Lawlor, Victoria
Rachel McDonald, UBC
Amaia Ervin-Arambarri, Calgary
CANADA WEST ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Hailie Robertson, Victoria
Jaida LaFleur, Regina
Sofia Ouellet, Regina
Kieva Birmingham, UBC
Sophie Shaffer, Alberta
