2011 CCAA CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING NATIONALS PROVIDE RACE EXCITEMENT

KAMLOOPS, B.C. - The nation came to Kamloops, B.C. as Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack hosted the 2011 CCAA Cross Country Running National Championships.

The men's and women's races held at McArthur Island had a total of 224 runners. Both had exciting finishes on a chilly and overcast afternoon, with the women's race coming down to the wire.

Women's Results

Jodi Sanquin of Red Deer College finished first in the women's 5k heat with a time of 18:10 after a thrilling finish in the final lap where she passed race leader Vicky Siemon of Humber College. Siemon finished with a time of 18:13. "I was nervous because I was pretty far back in the first kilometre," Sanquin said. "On the last lap I said, it's now or never, so I picked it up and then once I had her [Siemon] I just tried to get some space and finish on my nerves."

Siemon led the race for the first two laps but wasn't able to hold on until the finish. "I think I got too comfortable," says Simeon. "I had it in the back of mind that someone was behind me, I just didn't know how far. I didn't want to make a move too quickly so I tried to hold onto the lead. I didn't have it in me to go after her until the very end, but kudos to her, she had an amazing race."

Richelle Moore was the only runner representing St Lawrence College Kingston and made her school proud by finishing third with a time of 18:44. "It went really well," she said. "I was hoping to finish top seven but coming in third was even better."

The hometown WolfPack was represented by eight female runners. Faryn Brown had the best time for TRU at 22:01 and said the WolfPack put in a great effort. "I think they did really well, they were all right behind me, I'm really proud of them," Brown said of her teammates. Fellow WolfPack runner Steffi Herrwigg finished a hair behind Brown with a time of 22:02 and Rolena Debruyan finished with 22:10. TRU runners Monica Hehli, Jessica Paustian, Kait Pengelly, Alannah Stewart and Chantelle Forseille all finished with a time less than 24:50.

Men's Results

The men's 8k race showcased talent from across the country, as Andy Pohl of Augustana Campus University of Alberta had the best time with 25:30. He was part of a group of five runners that kept the lead pace for the four laps. "It feels amazing," Pohl said. "I've been beaten all year and to pull it out at National's feels great." He added that it was the biggest achievement in his running career.

Pohl trailed Clint Smith of Fanshawe College for most of the race but took the lead over in the last lap. Smith finished with a time of 25:41. "Clint won the race for me," sais Pohl. "He was doing all the work in the first two laps. Full credit to him, he's a great runner."

Coming in third was Lethbridge College runner Peter Kayla with a time of 25:52. "I was relaxed and comfortable even though it was cold," Kayla said. "This is my best time ever in three years I've been running."

TRU had 13 runners in the men's race with third-year arts student, Obed Masege, having the best time for a WolfPack runner with 28:59. "I'm so excited," said Masege. "Where I come from is a very warm country and here it's so cold but I kept saying to myself, ‘I think I can make it.' My adrenaline just pushed me to not struggle with the race."

Being able to compete at the event at home was to Masege's advantage.  "I'm really glad TRU hosted," he said." "I think putting up an event of this magnitude is a sign of good sportsmanship, so I give a high-five to TRU."

Chris Curl had the second best WolfPack time with 29:34. TRU runners Josh Oostenbrink, Eric Goldie, Adrian Ballam, Colin Macedo, Tim Routtu, Francisco Canizal, Dan Drynan, Maik Kliemann, Kiefer Stout, Malcolm Todd and Alex Kluth all finished the race under 39:10.

This was the third time TRU has hosted a CCAA national championship since 2008. Previous events include the 2008 CCAA Soccer National Championships and the 2010 CCAA Golf National Championship.
 
Source: Thompson Rivers University