Cross-country season kicks off with trials at ACAC Grand Prix

Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics

EDMONTON – Consider the Griffins men's and women's cross-country teams a work in progress.

With several new faces, a new distance for women (8K, up from 6K in years past) and some athletes not yet eligible to participate, coaches Drew Carver and Linda Miller have plenty of moving parts heading into the season.

At least they know where they'll be this Saturday. Carver is sending his new athletes to compete in the first ACAC Grand Prix of the season – hosted by Concordia University at Edmonton's Goldstick Park.

"It's kind of like an open trial," he said. "It definitely doesn't mean the team is closed to accepting other athletes, but this gives me an idea of what I should do with the new recruits based on their time and performance."

At least he knows what he has with returning men's student-athletes Scott Kohlman – who ran the fastest 10K in MacEwan history at nationals last year – and veteran fifth-year competitor Kyle Dong.

And he is well aware of the capabilities of returning women's runners Hannah Leggatt – a reigning Canada West first team all-star – Chantelle Gagne, Roxanne Skoreyko and Maissa Sabourin.

"All the returning athletes, I have information on them, so it's up to them if they wish to run it," he said of Saturday's race. "I don't expect them to put their best performance out there because we're not slowing down (our training) at all for this race."

Carver notes the men's team is still waiting for a couple of athletes to possibly gain late academic eligibility. Newcomers Aaron Boyle and Ryan Lawley will race this weekend.

Boyle is somewhat familiar to Carver since he coached him on the local Mac Track squad. Though an injury hampered his results in Grade 12, Carver notes Boyle was one of the top high school cross-country runners in the province in Grade 10 and 11.

Still, the men's team could use more athletes to give it some depth.

"The men's team is definitely still in a building phase because we didn't get as many cross-country runners in as I was hoping for," Carver said.

"We're still looking on getting that solid team together, which is tough."

On the women's side, the prospects for the season are greater as the returning athletes are bolstered by four newcomers: Shehzadi Abdul, Daniella Wasielewski, Abby Ackerman and Jocelyn Leffers.

"The women's team, I think, has got a chance to perform even better this year than last year because the rookies coming in," said Carver. "I know they're solid cross-country kids.

"The longer distance, though, is going to throw us into a bit of a building year again with the rookies, but at least I know they're solid, they're good runners.

"So, I'm hoping we'll have a better performance at the national level for the women's team. On paper, it looks that way."

Carver and Miller will be looking to build a strong deep team in time for the University of Saskatchewan Sled Dog Open on Sept. 30 – the first meet of the season against Canada West competition. As such, their door is open for more athletes wanting to come out.

"Anyone that is interested in cross-country, please come out because we should be carrying a team double the size from what we've got," said Carver. "That's the advantage these other schools have when they've got 20 or 30 runners."

Contact Carver and Miller at xc@macewan.ca if interested in joining the squad.

Other races on the calendar for the Griffins this season include the UVIC Invitational in Victoria on Oct. 14, the Stewart Cup in Edmonton on Oct. 28 and the U Sports Championship in Victoria on Nov. 12.