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.
NACAC
Heather Petrick wins the XC Nationals
Congratulations to Heather Petrick on winning the XC Nationals in Vancouver today by a serious margin!
We are speechless, in awe, WOW!
The ladies’ team was 7th overall, just a fabulous achievement all round.
Congratulations to Sharon and all the coaches. Your dedication continues to give our athletes opportunities they only dreamed about!
NOC Front and Centre (literally)
Canada wins 3 NACAC Cross Country team titles in Jamaica; Natasha Fraser wins individual gold
OTTAWA – Athletics Canada’s entry won three team titles today at the 2013 North America Central America and Caribbean (NACAC) Cross Country Championships in Mandeville, Jamaica. The junior women, junior men, and senior women’s teams were all crowned 2013 NACAC champions.
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Canada took the junior men’s title with 31 points over the United States who had a team total of 35. Ryan Sleiman of Kingsville, Ont., was the top Canadian finisher in fourth with 19:18. On his heels was Troy Smith of Grimsby, Ont., in fifth in 19:19.
Canada Wins Junior Gold at NACAC. Troy Smith 5th Overall, 2nd on Canada’s Junior Team!!!! Well done Troy and the Team!!!
NACAC Cross Country Championships; Team has sights set on Worlds qualification
OTTAWA – The Canadian Cross Country team is heading to Mandeville, Jamaica for the 2013 North America, Central America and Carribean (NACAC) Cross Country Championships taking place this Saturday January 26. The Canadian team will be represented in all four races; Men’s senior 8km, Women’s senior 6km, Men’s junior 6km and Women’s junior 4km.
Click here for the full team list (including NOC’s Troy Smith)
Mr. Smith goes to Jamaica
From The St. Catharines Standard:
By Bernie Puchalski, St. Catharines Standard, Monday, January 7, 2013 11:41:09 EST PM
In his first trip to the North American, Central American and Caribbean cross-country championships, Troy Smith didn’t have the result he desired.
The 17-year-old Grade 12 student at Grimsby District Secondary School was slowed by lingering effects to his training from leg surgery.
He’s looking for redemption and a top five individual result when he makes his second trip to the NACAC championships Jan, 26 in Jamaica.
“I’m looking forward to competing with the team and doing well as a team,” the Niagara Olympic Club member said.
A strong finish at the NACAC championships will give Canada a berth at the world championships in Poland in March.
“Our team has to be top two but usually that is something that we do each year,” Smith said.
It would be his first trip to world championships.
Training for the NACAC championships isn’t easy in Canada.
“It’s going to be a lot warmer in Jamaica than here, so it’s going to be a shock to the system.”
The former Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations 800-metre bronze medalist qualified for the Canadian team at the end of November by placing fifth overall and fourth among eligible athletes in the junior men’s division at the Canadian cross country championships in Vancouver.
Athletics Canada names 2013 NACAC Cross Country team
OTTAWA – Athletics Canada announced today the athletes that will travel to Mandeville, Jamaica for the 2013 North America, Central America and Caribbean (NACAC) Cross Country Championships to be held January 26th.
Junior Men (6km) Base Coach Brandon Allen Amherstburg, ON Dave Scarrow Ben Flanagan Kitchener, ON Peter Grinbergs Christian Gravel Vancouver, BC Dave Scott-Thomas Ryan Sleiman Kingsville, ON Chris/Dave Scarrow Troy Smith
Grimsby, ON
Sharon Stewart
Mike Tate Antigonish, NS Chris MacKinnon