BUCK NABS 1ST IN X-COUNTRY SEASON KICKOFF

The Loyalist cross country teams kicked off their season this past weekend at the Sandbanks Fall Getaway races. The 5k and 10k events were run on the park roads and trails, giving athletes a chance to gain race experience and test their fitness before jumping into OCAA competitions next week at Fleming.

First year Lancer, Bobby Buck, cruised to an overall victory in the 10k event.  Buck, a former local highschool star at Nicholson Catholic, easily outdistanced the field by finishing in 37:14.  Another first year athlete, James Wilson-Busby (Kingston, ON), also competed in the 10k and won his age group.

The rest of the team competed in the 5k race and the results were encouraging.  John Liana (Hamilton, ON) was the first student-athlete across the line, 3^rd overall in a time of 19:25.  Owen Allen (Cornwall, ON) and Kai Mackintosh (Belleville, ON) finished 1-2 in their age groups at 21:52 and 23:46 respectively. Former Lancer volleyball player Emilie Leneveu (Belleville, ON) started her transition to runner with a 31:59 finish and Nicole Flynn (Madoc, ON) completed the run in 45:59.

Being an open race, the coaches also had the opportunity to compete.  Assistant coach Ashley Bickle, former All-Canadian cross country runner for Loyalist, recaptured some of her running magic by finishing 4^th overall in the women's 5k (23:47). Head coach Kevin Beatty finished first in the 5k race (17:16).

The Lancers open their OCAA schedule on September 22^nd at the Fleming Invitational.  The women's 6k race begins at 11am with the men's 8k following at noon.