Laker runner get reality check (new)

Submitted by Marc Larochelle, Nipissing University sports information officer

———

LONDON — The Nipissing Lakers men’s cross-country team competed in the 30th annual Western International cross country meet last weekend. Fresh off a good performance at the Waterloo meet, the team was anxious to see where they stacked up against arguably the toughest competition outside of the Canadian university championships.

The Lakers got their answer an hour later. The only thing tougher than the Thames Valley 10km course was the competition with the University of Guelph taking the team title from Windsor with Western placing third and Queen’s University fourth.

Guelph also won the women’s title.

The team of Jon Pratt 36.17, Andrew Bubar 38.44, the fast improving Jason English 39.32, Cam Hodgins 42.20, Dave Cartagena 49.00, Salman Khan 49.06 and Tim Feick 49.07 placed 15th behind Brock, Laurier and Ottawa in the second tier group.

“The guys got a reality check out there today,” said head coach Tim Uuksulainen. “We have a long way to go to match the depth and talent of the top six teams, but after that, the gap isn’t as big as you think. We have the capability of beating schools like Brock, Laurier, Ottawa and Trent if, and it’s a big if, all the guys come up with season best performances in the same meet.”

The Lakers are the new team on the block and it will take some time to draw and develop first year athletes over the next few seasons. The next Lakers meet will be at Queen’s in Kingston Oct. 16. This race will be used as a final tune up and team selection for the Ontario university championships in Toronto October 30.