Calgary Dinos: the underdog of U Sports cross-country
Despite being down one of their top runners and their coach having a health complication, the Calgary Dinos pulled off an unexpected win at U Sports
The Calgary Dinos were not expected to win the 2018 U Sports championships. The Dinos were considered a strong team, and cross-country veteran Russell Pennock was expected to perform well, but few expected a win.
Saturday’s men’s race was billed as a contest between the Guelph Gryphons and McMaster Marauders. The teams ended up second and third, only five points separating them, but Calgary came out on top.
Calgary was second in 2017, but lost one of their top runners, Alex James to an injury. On top of losing James on their roster, the Dinos coach Doug Lamont suffered a stroke earlier this fall. Lamont received treatment quickly and only suffered minor deficits.
RELATED: Laval makes history at U Sports XC 2018
Lamont’s wife drove him to practice for the month following his accident. The team made him a card before the race, and wanted to get the win for him. Lamont was named the U Sports men’s coach of the year following the race.
Congratulations to Doug Lamont of @UCDinos on winning the U SPORTS Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year Award!
Félicitations à Doug Lamont qui remporte le titre de l’Entraîneur de l’année du cross-country masculin U SPORTS!#ChampSZN pic.twitter.com/yxnfVLWWtV
— U SPORTS Cross Country (@USPORTS_XC) November 10, 2018
Lamont has been coaching for years. He began volunteer coaching in 1983, and has been full-time with the team since 1999. Yesterday was the men’s first championship win. The team is only graduating two of their athletes, so this relatively young squad should be strong heading into 2019.
Post race interview with 2018 men's @USPORTS_XC team champion's @UCDinos pic.twitter.com/YMF5VA7rEz
— Canadian Running (@CanadianRunning) November 10, 2018
It takes a lot to get a team of runners in sync on race day, especially in cross-country, a particularly unpredictable discipline of running. Between the difficult conditions and variability of the course, managing to get five runners to have their best possible day at the same time is a big ask. But Calgary pulled it off. Pennock said post-race that it paid to be the underdog. “Everyone had their perfect race. This is like a dream.”
Dinos score breakdown
75 points total:
- Russell Pennock – 3rd
- Eric Lutz – 9th
- Stefan Daniel – 10th
- Ryan Grieco – 21st
- Tyler Kiyonaga – 32nd
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
