2013 Cross Country Season underway after successful training camp in Whistler

Whistler, BC- The NAIA pre-season cross country rankings are out and the UBC thunderbird cross country teams are among the top teams in the nation. The defending national champion women are ranked number one in the NAIA and the men have moved up two spots from last years placing at nationals to number four in the nation.

The women return five out of their seven defending national champions. Jackie Regan is out with an injury and Sarah Reimer has completed all of her eligible seasons. Leading the team up front, Maria Bernard is looking strong after a recent victory in the 5,000m at the Canada Summer Games in Quebec. Incoming freshman Natalia Hawthorn should be a key contributor to the defending national champions. Third-year Amelie de Fenoyl will be one to keep an eye out for after her tremendous track season. A couple of seniors in Micha Gutmanis and Heather Slinn are two veterans that should be consistent scorers for the thunderbirds. Also returning from the defending national championship squad is Rhiannon Evans. Returning from last year’s regional team are Lissa Zimmer and Maggie Woodward.

The men move up two spots in the rankings despite losing their top two scorers from last year’s nationals in Lucas Bruchet and Tim Huebsch. However, the men return Justin Kent to the team. You can expect to see Kent lead the team up front along with Jack Willams and William Cliff. Also returning from last years national team are Bilal Shamsi and Matt Galea. Returning from last year’s regional team is David Slade. Michael Bourgeois is looking strong this year and will be one to watch for throughout the season. Reid Mitchell and Devin Rajala are two runners that could also very well be in the mix. Among new runners to the team, the thunderbirds bring in two very strong freshmen in Jesse Hooton and Connor McCarthy as well as University of Alberta transfer, Curtis Aucoin.

The Thunderbirds just returned from their annual pre-season training camp in Whistler. Runs and workouts took place around the picturesque Lost Lake loop. The thunderbirds open up their season on September 14^th at the Sundodger Invitational at Lincoln Park in Seattle, the meet is hosted by the University of Washington.