Cross-Country Teams Win Gold, Make CIS History
November 14, 2009 - Campus Bulletin
The University of Guelph women's and men's cross-country teams made history today, with the women's squad winning its fifth straight team title and the men earning their fourth consecutive banner at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) championships in Kingston.
Guelph is now the most successful cross-country program in CIS history with the most banners captured by a single school. In all, Guelph has obtained nine men's and six women's titles. The Gryphons entered the event tied with the University of Victoria at 13.
The Guelph women also entered the history books today by becoming the first team to earn five championship banners in a row.
"Our main goal all season was to win the team banners again," said head coach Dave Scott-Thomas, who was named both CIS women's and men's coach of the year for the fourth straight year. "It was a battle out there, and our teams held strong. We also broke three major records today, which is great."
On the men's side, the Gryphons cruised through the 10-kilometre race finishing with 31 points. Three Guelph runners were among the first five to cross the finish line, including individual champion Matt Brunsting, who earned back-to-back CIS gold medals. Brunsting finished the course with a time of 30:34.3.
"It feels great," said Brunsting. "Our goal this year was to repeat as team champions. All season we were very team-oriented, so to win the individual and team title for the second straight time is amazing."
The silver medal went to Gryphon Kyle Boorsma with a time of 30:44.8.
The Guelph women won with a 57-point tally. The Toronto Varsity Blues were the next closest team with 144 points.
Lindsay Carson led the Gryphon contingent and finished second overall with a time of 17:14.3.
Brunsting was named male athlete of the year for the second straight season, and first-year Gryphon Genevieve Lalonde was named female rookie of the year after finishing ninth.
