From Athletics Canada:
VANCOUVER – Six national champions were crowned today at the 2013 Canadian Cross Country Championships at Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver, B.C. Lucas Bruchet of Surrey, B.C., Natasha Wodak of Port Moody, B.C., Justyn Knight of Vaughn, Ont., Heather Petrick of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., James Finlayson of Victoria, B.C., and Maria Zambrano of Calgary, Alta., were all crowned 2013 Champions.
In the junior women’s 5-kilometre race Heather Petrick won gold in 17:47.63. “I was able to get an early lead and it is awesome to get revenge after falling last year”, explains Heather. “I am really happy with my training”. Defending Champion Jillian Forsey of Kippens, NFLD., was second in 18:02.45. “It was a great race and I was happy to be racing with a strong field”, said Jillian. Third place went to Kitchener, Ont.’s Jaimie Phelan in 18:13.13.
Lucas Bruchet took the senior men’s Canadian title in the 10-kilometre race in a time of 31:38.39. Chris Winter of Vancouver, B.C won silver in 31:47.91 and Aaron Hendrikx of Parkhill, Ont., won bronze in 31:50.97.
Natasha Wodak won the senior women’s national title in the 7-kilometre race in 24:30.80. Vancouver, B.C.’s Rachel Cliff was right behind her for silver in 24:34.00. Cliff, “It was a great race. Both Natasha and I wanted to go first-second”. Also on the podium was Calgary, Alta.’s Jessica O’Connell in 24:48.07 for the bronze.
Justyn Knight won the men’s Canadian Junior title finishing first in the 8-kilometre race in 25:43.30. Knight on his race; “I hate losing and I really felt strong running with Ben (Flanagan) and Mike (Tate).” Ben Flanagan of Kitchener, Ont., clocked 25:47.12 for the silver, “It was a great way to end the season”. Bronze was won by Mike Tate of Heatherton, N.S., in 25:53.89.
