Saunder, Doiron lead Laker runners in Guelph

Not wind nor rain nor a stuck motor coach could keep the Laker’s cross-country team off the starting line at the 2011 New Balance Vic Matthews Open.The second last stop on the Laker’s 2011 Season went down on October 15 in Guelph, Ontario on the famed provincial and national cross-country course. The 2011 race was open to both university, collegiate, and open club/community racers, making it one of the largest fields for a cross-country race Ontario has seen in a while.
Guelph, Windsor, Eastern Michigan, McMaster, Detroit, Regina and Detroit Mercy, were among the strong schools in attendance. There were 170 women and 208 men who toed the start line for the 5km and 8km women’s and men’s races respectively. Along with significant depth, the field also boasted strong talent with Olympian (and North Bayite) Taylor Milne taking part.
In the women’s race, the Lakers were led by third-year Nursing student Felicia Saunders, whose 5km time was 21:07 for 98th overall. Fourth-year concurrent education student Amy Claridge was 114th in 21:44, and first-year concurrent education student Stephanie Leggat was the third Laker in with a 21:46 time. The women’s race was won overall by 2010 Canadian steeplechase champion Dana Buchanan.
In the men’s race, first-year Bachelor of Physical Health Education student Terry Doiron crossed the finish line as the first Laker in 116th spot in a time of 27:20. Kevin Perry (first-year criminal justice) and Kevin Gallagher (fifth-year concurrent education) were the second and third Laker athletes in 139th (27:53) and 145th (28:04) positions. The 8km men’s race was won by Sudbury’s own (now racing for the University of Guelph) Ross Proudfoot in 24:01. Taylor Milne finished 7th in 24:44.
The team thanks to all supporters, including alumni and parents, who were out to cheer on the Lakers despite some wet and windy weather.
The Lakers men and women will compete next at the Ontario University Athletics Championships in Ottawa, Ontario, on October 29.
Full results from the race can be found here.WOMEN (5km)
Felicia Saunders 98th, 21:07
Amy Claridge 114th, 21:44
Stephanie Leggat, 116th, 21:46
Melissa McKiel, 119th, 21:50
Taralynn Ray 134th, 22:35
Lynsey Bialkowski 142nd, 23:02
Antoinette Busch 145th, 23:16
Brianna Yard 146th, 23:22
Emily Floyd 150th, 23:51MEN (8km)
Terry Doiron 116th, 27:20
Kevin Perry 139th, 27:53
Kevin Gallagher 145th, 28:04
Jordan Scott 169th, 29:06
Kyle Radigan 179th, 29:51
Alexander Burley 182nd, 30:02
Curtis Brennan 194th, 31:23
Kevin Durkee 202nd, 32:40