Leggatt, Kohlman lead Griffins at nationals test event in Victoria
MacEwan Athletics
MacEwan Griffins cross-country coach Drew Carver has a few takeaways after a test event Saturday at the same course nationals will be held at in Victoria next month.
Takeaway No. 1: the most important measuring stick is the kilometre splits of MacEwan's competitors.
Because it was a test race, some teams were allowed to run 8K for men and 6K for women – MacEwan and UBC did – while the other squads went for the same distances they'll race at nationals (10K men and 8K women).
"The thing I'm looking at is the kilometer splits and seeing where we would stack up, knowing that the pace difference between an 8K and 6K is not going to be that much different," Carver said.
Takeaway No. 2: the course is soft.
"There was a lot of soft ground to run on, so it did deaden up the legs pretty quick," he said. "It doesn't affect our training because it's still about fitness. We've just got to be able to make sure we're able to handle that pace right to the bitter end."
Takeaway No. 3: his runners can compete.
Reigning Canada West first team all-star Hannah Leggatt had MacEwan's top result, beating all the other university runners in the women's 6K, finishing second overall in 22:10 behind Royal City track runner Grace Fetherstonhaugh.
"She ran a pretty good race in that 22 minutes is near her best. The real question comes down to: can she maintain that pace or close to it in running the 8K and seeing where she stacks up overall."
Roxanne Skoreyko (9th, 23:40), Chanelle Gagne (13th, 24:23), Abby Ackerman (14th, 24:26), Jocelyn Leffers (18th, 26:19) and Maissa Sabourin (19th, 27:36) rounded out MacEwan's women's results.
In the men's 8K, second-year Scott Kohlman placed ninth in 27:21, running what might have been the fastest 8K in MacEwan history. Freshman Aaron Boyle (10th, 27:26) was just five seconds behind his teammate.
"It was a good time for both Aaron and Scott," said Carver.
Takeaway No. 4: course knowledge is key.
The Griffins went to the Victoria race knowing they would benefit from seeing the course for the U Sports Championship – set for Nov. 12 – will be held on. And they did.
"With the course being looked at front to back as we saw it, we know what the hills are," said Carver. "Now we can start looking at a little bit more race strategy."
MacEwan has one race remaining before the nationals – the Calgary-based Stewart Cup on Oct. 28. Carver will use that one to pick the team he will bring back to Victoria.
"It still comes back to: we're going to live and die by our weakest runner," he said of the team competition which counts the top five in each gender.
