X-Women runners 7th at nationals

The X-Women cross country team placed seventh overall at the CIS championship this past weekend in Laval, QC. The 5k race took place on the Plains of Abraham in miserable, snowy conditions.

Out of 19 teams, the X-Women earned a total of 228 points for the seventh place showing. The Guelph Gryphons won their seventh consecutive national team title, placing five runners in the top 10, including the race winner Genevieve Lalonde who finished the 5k in 18:00 flat. The Gryphons posted 31 points in the win while Victoria (87) was second and McMaster (134) was third.

The X-Women were the top placing team from the Atlantic University Sport conference. The Dalhousie Tigers placed 12th overall with 312 points.

Veteran fifth year runner Kelly MacDonald was the top finisher for the X-Women, coming in 28th place in a time of 19:15. A total of 137 runners took part in the championship race.

Melissa Hardy was the next X-Woman to cross the finish line, placing 33rd at 19:28. Becki Reeves (19:35) was 43rd, while Natalie Kannenberg (19:56) was 63rd. Also competing for the X-Women were Tory Anderson (20:07) in 70th place and Natasha Herron (20:23) in 85th.

Head coach Bernie Chisholm was very pleased with the X-Women’s performance. They improved upon their 2010 showing by one position as they were eighth last year.