UBC Women crowned National Champions

Devin Rajala

            Vancouver, WA- Coming into the race with high expectations, the UBC women’s cross country team did not disappoint on Saturday taking their first ever National championship title on the grounds at the Fort Vancouver National historic site.  Led by a pair of top ten performances by Maria Bernard and Jackie Regan, the women took top spot with 98 points.  They were followed by College of Idaho who racked up 112 points just ahead of third place team Olivet Nazarene who had 133 points.

Top Ten Teams:

1. UBC 98
2. College of Idaho 112
3. Olivet Nazarene 133
4. Cal State San Marcos 149
5. Carroll 225
6. Oklahoma Baptist 253
7. Aquinas 262
8. Lewis-Clark 273
9. Dordt 290

10. Biola 292

“All of our ladies ran awesome, to have 4 All-Americans [Maria Bernard, Jackie Regan, Sarah Reimer, Amelie de Fenoyl] is phenomenal. I couldn’t be happier with how well they’ve run this season, they’re all really deserving of the title”, said Head Coach Marek Jedrzejek.

Maria Bernard showed her experience racing at big meets by leading the thunderbirds through the 5km course in a time of 17:42 for 6^th place. Jackie Regan, who placed 7th in a time of 17:50, followed her very closely. Both Bernard and Regan’s top ten performances garnered them All-American status.

“I’m so happy with how the team performed today. All of our hard work this season really paid off and we came together when it really mattered most”, said Bernard.

“I’m so excited with how we performed today. On the start line, we were so confident in ourselves and were all saying that we knew we would win if we gave it all we had”, echoed Regan.

Sarah Reimer, racing for her last time as a Thunderbird, showed her grit and determination in cracking the top 25 in 24^th spot in a time of 18:25. Amelie de Fenoyl came up huge for the thunderbirds placing 27^th in a time of 18:27. With their top 30 performances, Reimer and de Fenoyl also earned their selves All-American status.

“I really wanted to give it my all for my last race and I think I was able to do it today. I’ve been amazed all season at how well our team works together and I think that really shone through today”, said Reimer.

Rhiannon Evans was a key contributor to the thunderbird’s win. She closed out the team scoring with her time of 19:12 in 74^th place.

Micha Gutmanis moved up throughout the race to grab 83^rd place in 19:16. Heather Slinn was close behind in 19:24 in 92^nd place.