Kings and Queens Cross Country Running teams finish in the top 10 at nationals

Calgary, AB - Both the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens Cross Country Running teams placed in the top 10 in Canada.

At the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Cross Country Running National Championships, the Kings ranked eighth and the Queens finished 10th in Calgary.

St. Mary's University hosted the event.

"It was a super competitive field and I'm really proud of our student-athletes. Of our group, only one had been to nationals before," said Kari Elliott, Red Deer Polytechnic Cross Country Running Head Coach. "We had a whole fleet of rookies competing. Across the board, everyone ran significantly better today with some massive personal bests."

Nine of the 12 RDP student-athletes who participated at nationals are first-years.

Red Deer's Devin Saunders (27:41), who was the only member of the team with previous national championship experience, led the way for the Kings, placing 24th among male participants over 8 km.

"In his final year, Devin achieved his fastest time yet and almost cracked the top 20," said Elliott.

First-year Ethan Duret (28:09) finished 29th. Maskwacis' Jayden Wildcat (28:33) was six spots behind in 35th. Axsivier Lawrence (30:41), a Business Administration General student, placed 63rd. Lacombe's Daniel Humbke (32:12) was 75th and Wyatt Grainger (34:57) wrapped up 83rd.

Saunders

Strathmore's Justine Larson (25:43) paced the Queens, sealing 31st over 6 km. Jenica Swartz (26:37), a Bachelor of Science Nursing student, was 50th among female participants. Captain Lauren Pasiuk (26:58) crossed the finish line in 61st. Myah Cota (27:00) was two spots behind in 63rd. Halle Reid (28:08) ranked 81st and Kammy Park (29:01) placed 84th.

Larson

"Justine had a huge race, over a minute faster than she's ran all season long," said Elliott of the first-year Bachelor of Education Elementary student. 

The Fanshawe Falcons Men's squad, of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA), earned team gold with 35 team points. The Vulkins de Victoriaville, of the Reseau du sport etudiant du Quebec (RSEQ), wrapped up silver (45 points). With 52 points, the St. Clair Saints (OCAA) won CCAA bronze.

Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) standout, Leonard Chesoo (24:44), from Concordia University, won individual men's gold. Nolan Turgeon (25:12), of the Vulkins de Victoriaville, picked up national silver. Earning bronze was Fanshawe Falcons' Seth Marcaccio (25:22).

The Volontaires de Sherbrooke Women's team (RSEQ) earned national gold with 35 team points. The Concordia University Thunder (ACAC) won CCAA silver (44 points). The University of Alberta Augustana Vikings (ACAC) picked up national bronze (66 points).

SAIT's McKenna Fitzgerald (21:40) won individual women's gold. Jonquiere's Juliette Belanger (22:43) took home national silver. Elodie Hebert (23:26), of the Voluntaires de Sherbrooke, won bronze.

"Our team is really young and most of the student-athletes are returning next year. We are extremely excited about their potential and we are looking forward to what they can achieve over the next few years," said Elliott. "I am very proud of their performances today. Now, we will take a bit of a break before we prepare for the indoor track season."

Many of the student-athletes will compete on the Red Deer Polytechnic Indoor Track team during Winter 2022 Term. Concordia University will host Running Room Grand Prix #1 on Saturday, January 22.