On a snow-covered course in below-freezing temperatures, Collège André-Grasset’s Simone Plourde overcame less than ideal conditions to capture the 2019 CCAA Cross-Country Running National Championship.
The Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) Champion completed the six-kilometer course in 24:50 to capture the Gold medal.
Finishing thirteen seconds back (25:03) was Anne-Federik Drolet of Cégep de Jonquière who was unable to close the gap despite her best efforts on the final down-hill.
Sophia Nowicki of Lethbridge College was the third runner to cross the finish line with a time of 25:22.
In true Grande Prairie fashion, a winter storm warming swept over the city the day before the race with no signs of stopping, leading to 15cms of snow blanketing the course on race day. The hosts worked tirelessly to make the course safe and a warm-up area was created for the Nation’s top runners to compete on.
In the team completion, the Lethbridge Kodiaks (ACAC) captured the Women's Team National Championship with their average race time of 26:50. The Kodiaks were led by Nowicki (25:22) while Anna LeBlanc (26:58) and Rosie Bouchard (26:59) finished neck in neck with one another capturing 11th and 12th place. Vildana Rekic (28:02), Janelle Graham (28:45) and Sydney Crowe (30:24) will also join the team on the podium.
The Saint-Lambert Cavaliers captured the Silver medal and were led by Veronic Boire (25:28) and Samantha Flood (25:33). Mathilde Parent (27:34) and Catherine Boilard (28:28) rounded out the Cavaliers results.
Capturing the Bronze medal were the Laurier Brantford Golden Hawks. Vanessa Brown (26:13) led the team with her teammates coming in a steady stream behind her, Faith Nieson (27:09), Kara Hughes (27:46), Chiara Carinci (28:42) and Jessa Braun (29:20).
RESULTS - PHOTOS - AWARDS
