X-Women Cross Country claim 2024 AUS championship banner
The STFX X-Women ran to their fourth consecutive Atlantic University Sport championship title Saturday afternoon
St. John's, NF – The STFX X-Women ran to their fourth consecutive Atlantic University Sport championship title Saturday afternoon on Confederation Hill in Newfoundland.
Fifth year veteran runner Eileen Benoit was the individual race winner and AUS champion, completing the 8km course in a time of 30:24. She has improved her standing every year – finishing fifth in 2021, fourth in 2022 and third in 2023.
With her first place finish Benoit was also awarded the AUS Runner of the Year award.
The X-Women had six runners in the top ten to claim the conference banner. All siz were also honoured as AUS first team all-stars.
Caroline Ash was the third place finisher, crossing the line at 30:25, one second behind second place finisher Sophie Black from Moncton.
Mairin Canning was fourth overall 30:45, followed by her X teammates Caden Lee (30:51) in sixth, Allie Sandluck (30:56) in eighth and Poppy Moon (31:02) in ninth. Hannah McIntyre (32:30) rounded out the STFX placings in 21st position.
Moon garnered AUS Rookie of the Year honours, having been the first freshman to cross the finish line amongst the field of 52 racers.
The X-Women garnered 22 points to take the team title, their 12th overall AUS championship in team history.
Dalhousie came second with 68 points and UNB was third with 72. Rounding out the team placings were UPEI (108), Memorial (131), Moncton (146), Acadia (189) and Saint Mary's (232).
With the victory the X-Women will advance to the U SPORTS championship taking place November 9th in Kelowna, BC as hosted by UBCO.
-30-
2024 AUS WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY ALL-STARS
First Team
Eileen Benoit, STFX (Windsor, NS)
Sophie Black, Moncton (Dieppe, NB)
Caroline Ash, STFX (Newmarket, ON)
Mairin Canning, STFX (Antigonish, NS)
Molly Pert, Dalhousie (Manotick, NS)
Caden Lee, STFX (Richmond Hill, ON)
Sierra Rodrigues, UNB (Bolton, ON)
Second Team
Allie Sandluck, STFX (Thorburn, NS)
Poppy Moon, STFX (Bedford, NS)
Ivy Bialowas, UNB (Ottawa, ON)
Hilary Bishop, UNB (Milton, ON)
Breanna Sandluck, Dalhousie (Thorburn, NS)
Darcie Stapleton, Memorial (Marystown, NL)
Zoe Doorenspleet, Dalhousie (Toronto, ON)
2024 AUS WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Athlete of the Year: Eileen Benoit, STFX
Rookie of the Year: Poppy Moon, STFX
Student-Athlete Community Service Award: Sophie Black, Moncton
Coach of the Year: Eric Gillis, STFX