X-Women runners compete at U SPORTS championship

Saint John, NB – A handful of X-Women runners competed at the U SPORTS national championship at the Irving Oil Fieldhouse this past weekend in five events.

Antigonish, NS native Aidan MacDonald competed in the 600m heats on Thursday. Although the AUS champion in the same event did not qualify for the final at the national level, she put forth a great effort, running a personal best time with a 1:36.15 result in 12^th place overall.

MacDonald also competed in the 1000m race on Friday evening. Her time of 2:40.79 was good enough for 8^th position overall in the field of 13 competitive runners. STFX head coach Eric Gillis noted that, "Aidan ran a really good race, she came in ranked 19^th in the event and finished 8^th so it was a good race and a good placing for her. She finished strong and passed five people in last lap."

Siona Chisholm (Antigonish, NS) came in 6^th place overall in the 3000m race on Friday night. The AUS champion clocked in with a time of 9:35.02 amongst the field of 12 racers from across the country. Both Chisholm and MacDonald were the lone AUS competitors in their respective races.

Coach Gillis said that "Siona had a fantastic experience overall this weekend, her 3000m was impressive, I was happy with that race, as was she. Sixth place for a first year runner doesn't happen very often. She was aggressive and in the front of the pack to start the race which is strong to see from a rookie as most athletes competing were in their fourth or fifth year so she had a strong showing."  

The X-Women 4x800m relay team consisting of Allie Sandluck, Mairin Canning, MacDonald and Chisholm raced against 13 other squads and were in tough as they placed 14^th with a time of 9:30.29. Western won the race at 8:47.17, followed by Saskatchewan (8:48.76) and Guelph (8:50.26). Gillis said that, "We needed everything to go right in this race to be competitive at the national level and today wasn't our day."  

On Saturday afternoon Chisholm competed in the 1500m race and came 9^th overall amongst the field of 13 with a time of 4:31.45. Coach Gillis noted that her 1500m was a strong race as well. "Most of the women were a few seconds off their PB times, and Siona was three seconds off her personal best, she passed one person over the last lap, held on and had a strong close, so it was a good way to finish off the U SPORTS weekend."

Reflecting back on the championship, Gillis commented that it was a good experience overall for his runners and was great to see avenue in the Atlantic conference. "The championship went smoothly, the other competitors from across the country likes the facility, there was good energy and a good vibe all weekend and it was fantastic to see so many U SPORTS athletes there."

"Our STFX runners learned a lot, and as a coach I was happy with our women's efforts and the results we got were encouraging."

The overall U SPORTS championship banners went the to Guelph Gryphons on both the men's and womne's side. Sakatchewan took home silver and Western bronze for the women and Toronto won silver and Western bronze for the men.

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Courtesy Krista McKenna, STFX Athletics

Women's Scores 
Place School Points

1 Guelph Gryphons 123.5
2 Saskatchewan Huskies 76
3 Western Mustangs 69
4 Laval Rouge et Or 62
5 Toronto Varsity Blues 56.5
6 Alberta Pandas 47
7 Calgary Dinos 32
8 Regina Cougars 24.5
9 Trinity Western Spartans 24
10 Manitoba Bisons 19
10 Ryerson Rams 19
12 York Lions 18
13 Windsor Lancers 17
14 Waterloo Warriors 14.5
15 Dalhousie Tigers 12
16 UNB Reds 10
16 Lethbridge Pronghorns 10
18 Ottawa Gee-Gees 8
19 Carleton Ravens 6
20 McGill Martlets 5
21 StFX X-Women 4
21 Montréal Carabins 4
23 McMaster Marauders 2 

Men's Scores
Place School Points

1 Guelph Gryphons 97
2 Toronto Varsity Blues 86
3 Western Mustangs 61
4 Saskatchewan Huskies 52
5 Manitoba Bisons 50
6 Alberta Golden Bears 46
6 Laval Rouge et Or 46
8 Windsor Lancers 37
9 Montréal Carabins 25
10 McMaster Marauders 19
10 Lethbridge Pronghorns 19
10 Calgary Dinos 19
13 Trinity Western Spartans 17
14 Sherbrooke Vert & Or 15
14 Regina Cougars 15
16 Victoria Vikes 13
17 Waterloo Warriors 12
18 McGill Redbirds 8
19 Ottawa Gee-Gees 5
19 Lakehead Thunderwolves 5
19 Laurentian Voyageurs 5
22 Moncton Aigles Bleu 4
23 UNB Reds 3
24 UQTR Patriotes 2