2022 AUS Championship preview
The men's cross country team looks to retain their title on Saturday, while the women's team looks to dethrone STFX.
By Jake Paron
The Dalhousie men’s and women’s cross country are headed to Prince Edward Island for the 2022 Subway AUS Cross Country championships.
MEN
The Tigers started off their season in full effect with five athletes finishing in the top 10 at the STFX Invitational in their bid to win their third-straight confer3ence championship title.
“The men have had the pedal down all season and are a little beat up, but we feel ready to compete for a conference championship,” says head coach Rich Lehman.
They’ve have had an impressive season so far, finishing first at the STFX Invitational, third at the Western invitational, and second at l’Université de Moncton Invitational the AUS-RSEQ Interlock.
“Hudson Grimshaw-Surette, Will Cox, and Aidan Goslett have led our men's group all season,” says Lehman. “They're all experienced athletes at both the conference and national level and I'm confident they will continue leading our team through the championship season.”
So far this year all three athletes have had a pair of top 10 finishes at the four events leading to the championship race.
“The men are hoping to defend their title against a very strong and fast improving UNB team,” says Lehman.
The Tigers finished ahead of the REDS in their last race at the AUS-RSEQ Interlock with Dalhousie coming second and UNB finishing in third.
WOMEN
Over the course of the three meets this year, the team finished second at the STFX and l’Université de Moncton invitationals and third at the AUS-RSEQ Interlock.
“The women have taken some major steps since our last race on October 8th and we're starting to look like a solid team,” states Lehman.
Although the Tigers haven’t won any meets this year, they will still be a force to be reckoned with this weekend.
“Lauren Lowther has been by far our top runner on the women's side,” adds Lehman. “She's got a real shot at winning the individual race this weekend, along with about four other athletes in the conference.”
Lowther has had quite an impressive season so far finishing first at l’Université de Moncton Invitational and third at the STFX Invitational.
“The women are looking to surprise some of the top-ranked teams in the conference. I suspect both races will be closer than the rankings would indicate,” says Lehman. “Danielle Keefe and rookie Sofia Day have been training exceptionally well and I expect them to be in the mix for conference all-star selections.”
The Tigers biggest challenge this year is the ongoing competition between the STFX X-Women as they just pulled ahead of the Tigers in two other meets so far this year.
The 2022 Subway AUS Cross Country Championships, presented by Bell take place Saturday, October 29, 2022 at the Fox Meadow Golf Course in Stratford, PE. The women race at 12pm, followed by the men at 1pm. Watch live on AUStv.