Runners slog through wet conditions
Semiahmoo Totems' Chelsey Yang runs the muddy 4.4-km circuit at cross-country provincials Saturday at Crescent Park.
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Updated: November 09, 2009 4:23 PM
Considering B.C. High School Cross Country Championships are held each year smack in the middle of fall, it should come as no surprise that the weather usually plays a major role.
And it was no different Saturday, when hundreds of the top high school trail runners from across the province laced up in the mud and rain at Crescent Park.
But the less than desirable conditions – which were similar to conditions last year, too – did little to hamper the efforts of Kelowna's Connor Clerke, who outdueled Kwantlen Park's Justin Kent down the stretch to win the 6.5-km boys race. Clerke crossed the finish line in 21 minutes, 41.8 seconds, while Kent, who was the top-ranked runner heading into Saturday's event, finished in 22:01.1.
The top South Surrey runner was Elgin Park's Jake Bruchet, who was 22nd in a time of 23:29.3. Teammate Alex Slade was 23rd, just two-tenths of a second behind Bruchet.
The fastest girl on the 4.4-km course was W.J. Mouat Grade 9 speedster Alex Siemens.
Semiahmoo's Allison Williams was seventh in the girls' race, and Rachel Cho was 23rd which helped the Totems to a third-place team finish among senior girls' squads.
Oak Bay placed first overall, followed by Vancouver's West Point Grey Academy, which was the No. 1-ranked team heading into the day.
The overall boys title was captured by St. George's, with Oak Bay second and Kwantlen Park third.
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