The 2015 AUS cross country season started with a bang at Halifax's Point Pleasant Park.

In a field of 78 runners from Acadia, Dalhousie, Memorial, Moncton, Saint Mary's, StFX, UNB and newcomers UPEI, the Tigers Colleen Wilson was the first to cross the finish line of the 5km race in a time of 18:31. Halifast's Ellen Chappell followed in second place in a time of 18:52. Brittany Therrien (unattached) was right on her heals, finishing third in a time of 18:56.

Rounding out the top 10 were Michelle Reddy (Dalhousie), Hana Marmura (StFX), Emily Ferguson (Dalhousie), Kayte Kowal (Dalhousie), Jenna MacDonald (Dalhousie), Emily Clarke (Dalhousie) and Kamylle Frennette (Moncton).

The AUS defending champion Tigers won the team event with 18 points, placing six runners in the top 10. StFX was second in the event with 52 points, followed by Moncton (107), Acadia (124), Memorial (125) and Saint Mary's (128).

On the men's side, Dalhousie's Matt McNeil grabbed his first win of the season, clocking in at 19:22 in the 6km race. StFX's Alex Neuffer was next across the line with a time of 19:32, followed by John Corbit (Point Grey) in a time of 19:38.

Cal DeWolfe (StFX) placed fourth, followed by Scott Donald (StFX), Will Russell (Dalhousie), Angus Rawling (StFX), Riley Johnston (StFX), Nick Favero (StFX), and Brendan Gemmell (Dalhousie).

The four-time AUS defending champion X-Men claimed their first meet of the year with 22 points after placing six runners in the top 10. Dalhousie came in second with 37, followed by Memorial (112), UNB (125), Saint Mary's (132), Moncton (150) and UPEI (164).

The next meet is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at StFX. The women start at 12pm, followed by the men at 12:45pm.