Cross-Country, Rugby Teams Win Gold
October 26, 2008 - News Release
It was a triple gold-medal weekend for the University of Guelph, with its women's and men's cross-country teams and women's rugby team winning the 2008 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships.
The cross-country championships were held in Kingston Saturday. Guelph has now captured five-straight OUA cross-country women's titles, while earning four straight on the men's side. The Gryphons entered the race as the No. 1-ranked cross-country programs in the nation.
U of G runners also captured three of the podium positions. Allan Brett won the men's individual title and Matt Brunsting placed second, while Lindsay Carson came in second in the women’s five-kilometre race.
Carson clocked a time of 18 minutes flat. Gryphon Rachel Cliff placed fifth with a time of 18.36.5. Gryphon Courtney Laurie earned first-team All-Stars status with a time of 18:45.5. The Top 14 runners at the championship are named OUA All-Stars.
On the men's side, Brett won the 10 km race in 33:23.3 while teamate Matt Brunsting was three seconds behind at 33:36.9. Gryphon Joe Brunsting clocked a time of 33:45.5, earning first-team OUA All-Stars status, and Rob Jackson was the top rookie on the men's side with a time of 33:59.8. Jackson and teamates Derek Snider (33:57.9), John Parrot (34:07.1) and Josh Roundell (34.08.8) all earned second-team All-Stars status.
U of G coach Dave Thomas-Scott was awarded the Coach of the Year honours in the men's discipline.
The women's rugby team defeated the Western Mustangs 14-0 in the OUA final Sunday, finishing the OUA season undefeated. It was the team’s sixth shutout of the season. Guelph has won eight OUA titles in the past 13 years.
The team will compete in the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) Women's Rugby Championship in Lethbridge, Alta. beginning Oct. 30.
U of G's women’s rugby coach Colette McAuley was named OUA Coach of the Year.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338/l.hunt@exec.uoguelph.ca, or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982/d.healey@exec.uoguelph.ca.
