Ali Baggott, Vikes Communications
VICTORIA – The University of Victoria Vikes women's cross country team had a strong performance at the program's first Victoria-hosted event in 10 years. The Vikes finished second behind Trinity Western at the Vikes Invitational at Beacon Hill Park today, Oct. 14, in a meet designed to test the course and set expectations for the upcoming U SPORTS Cross country National Championship on Nov. 12.
RESULTS
"We haven't raced here in 10 years and it was awesome to be back in the park here racing and to think in a month we will have three times the number of runners and at least 10 times the number of spectators will make a great atmosphere," said Brent Fougner, head coach of the Vikes cross country and track program about hosting both this weekend's invitational and the upcoming championship.
It was an unusual and unique meet in many ways for the women as this is the first year the national championship standards are for an 8-km race instead of 6-km. U SPORTS racers from Trinity Western, Saskatchewan and Thompson Rivers completed the four 2-km loops of Beacon Hill Park, while UBC and MacEwan finished a lap early and clocked in for 6-km times to meet NAIA standards.
"It was interesting when the girls learned that they had to run 8-km – their reaction to it but they have really, really responded well to the training and the increase in volume," added Fougner. "Today they did great. You would never think they had just run their first 8km and it was awesome."
Vikes returnee and known Canadian triathlete Alison Hooper was the top UVic athlete finishing third amongst the university competitors in a time of 29:04.69. Spartans runner Regan Yee finished first in 28:31.68 to give Trinity Western first in the team standings for 8km. Former Guelph cross country star Lindsay Carson was in fine form on the day representing Langley Mustangs and winning the overall women's race in a time of 28:27.42.
"It's great to have Alison back on the team," said Fougner about the return of the Canadian triathlete and now Masters student to the Vikes. "Alison is going to be a great team leader and I think we are going to see a few of the other girls on the team a little closer to her in a month."
The Vikes also had a strong performance from Emma Edmonds who finished sixth in 29:53.17, while Chloe Hegland was ninth (30:26.18). Vikes Andie Wood, Chloe Hewitt, Laurel Booker and Emma Bibault finished as a pack to sweep 11-14th place, respectively.
Up next the Vikes will prepare for the BC University Championships on Oct. 30 in Abbotsford, B.C., while they will be aiming to peak for the U SPORTS Championship on Nov. 12 at Beacon Hill Park in Victoria.