Charlottetown, PE – Both the X-Men and X-Women cross country teams raced to first place finishes at the UPEI Invitational meet on Saturday afternoon in the first races of the AUS season.
In the women's 5k event, the X-Women scored 39 points to top Dalhousie's 43. Zoe Johnston (Pembroke, ON) was the top X finisher in fifth place overall with a time of 19.54. The overall race winner was Michelle Reddy from the Dalhousie Tigers. Her teammate Savanna Jordan was second, followed by Moncton runner Carol-Ann MacDonald in third.
The host UPEI Panthers came in third place with 49 points, followed by Acadia (98), Moncton (109) and UNB (135).
X-Women runners placed in 7th through 11th spots with runners Rachel MacDougall (Antigonish, NS) finishing at 20:05 and Jane Hergett (Port Williams, NS) at 20:09. Hana Marmura (Antigonish, NS) and Paige Chisholm (Port Williams, NS) each clocked in at 20:11 and Ashley Robson (Dartmouth, NS) wasn't far off at 20:12.
Freshman runner Breanna Sandluck (Thorburn, NS) placed 13th overall amongst the field of 58 with a 2:29 showing, while also at 20:29, Catherine Thompson (Blenheim, ON) was 14th.
In the men's field of 57 competitors in the 6K event, fifth year veteran Alex Neuffer (Stratford, PE) claimed top honours in his home province, topping the field with a 20:12 outing. Angus Rawling (Calgary, AB) was third overall at 20:21 and Paul MacLellan (Antigonish, NS) at 20:38 was fourth. Saint Mary's runner Andrew Peverill was sandwiched between the X runners in second place.
The X-Men earned 20 point soverall for the first palce finish, ahead of second place Dalhousie (51) and third place UNB (63). UPEI (117) and Moncton (135) rounded out the team standings.
Luc Gallant (Wellington, PE) at 21:11 and Addison Derhak (Waterloo, ON) at 21:26 placed 10th and 11th for the X-Men, Jonah Shankel (Coldbrook, NS) came 16th with a 21:52 result, while Antigonish, NS natives Patrick Marlow at 22:07 and Ed MacDonald at 21:58 were 19th and 22nd, respectively.
The StFX squads will be back in action on Saturday, September 22nd on their home course in Antigonish when they host the StFX Invitational. Race times are 12:00 and 12:45pm.
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Courtesy StFX Sports Information