Men’s U Sports XC September power rankings

The 2022 U Sports cross-country season is officially in full swing, and many of the top teams in the country have competed once or twice to shake off the summer rust. All roads lead to the 2022 U Sports Championships in Halifax on Nov. 12. Let’s get things started with our second edition of the U Sports XC power rankings, looking at the top 10 men’s teams in the country, in addition to some projections of the U Sports top-five athletes come November, based on performance.

10. Windsor Lancers (OUA) *new*

The Lancers landed in the national top 10 rankings with a stellar performance at the Western Invite last weekend. They earned their spot here by beating #10 ranked X-Men and finishing one position back of the #1 ranked Gryphons. Team veteran Jonathan Rioux led by example, securing a top 12 finish. Do the Lancers have OUA podium potential? Miracles could happen–nonetheless, the boys have reached the top 10 and are dancing in September.

9. St. Francis Xavier X-Men (AUS) +1

A so-so performance from the X-Men at the Western Invite, following up a solid start at their home meet. Jacob Benoit has put the team on his back early on, collecting a win in Antigonish, N.S. and a top 10 finish in London, Ont. He will need to do more of that for the X-Men to hold a top-10 spot in our rankings to come. They will be in action at the RSEQ-AUS Interlock meet on Oct. 8. 

8. McGill Redbirds (RSEQ) -3

The Redbirds have had a unique start to the 2022 season. One of their top runners was booted from the team for banditing a race in a McGill singlet. The team finished third to Queen’s at their home meet to open the season, despite missing Matthew Beaudet. When Beaudet decides to make his season debut, the Redbirds will have a solid top six up front. 

7. Queen’s Gaels (OUA) +2

The Gaels put up a solid second-place finish at the McGill Open, behind #3 ranked Laval, and they are up two spots. Miles Brackenbury led the way for the Gaels, with a third-place finish. This team is deep, but it will be interesting to see how they fare against the OUA competition. We won’t see the Gaels compete against the top OUA teams until McMaster’s Bayfront Open on Oct. 14.

6. Dalhousie Tigers (RSEQ) +1

‘Rising up, back on the street. They did their time and took some chances.’ The Dalhousie Tigers are on fire and up one spot in our rankings after a third-place finish at the Western Invite. I am not sure pack-running can land you on the U Sports podium, but the Tigers will try to make that work. They started the season with a win at the StFX Invite, and then placed five runners in the top 25 at Western last weekend, beating #3 ranked Laval and the top-ranked Guelph team. The Tigers are the real deal. 

5. UBC Thunderbirds (CanWest) +1

Although there was little to no competition for Tyler Dozzi and co. at the Vancouver Spirit Run, the Thunderbirds put the depth of their squad on display, placing nine of their runners in the top 10. They will next be in action at the TWU Invite on Oct. 8, where they should face stiffer competition.

4. Laval Rouge-et-Or (RSEQ) -1

The Rouge-et-Or started the season well in Montreal, winning the McGill open handily, but followed it up with a sub-par performance at the Western Invite. The team finished one point shy of the podium for fourth, despite missing several of their top runners. I am sure the Rouge-et-Or boys will bounce back when Jean-Simon Desgagnés makes his season debut at the RSEQ Interlock meet on Oct. 8.  

3. Western Mustangs (OUA) +1

The Mustangs are climbing the rankings, fresh off their second-place finish at the Western Invite. Their veteran trio of Marcel Scheele, Erik Ohrling and Ben Fox took care of business, landing the Mustangs in the top three of our rankings. This team has some grit, and could turn a few heads if they keep rolling, come November. 

2. Guelph Gryphons (OUA) -1

The top-ranked Gryphons put up a lacklustre result at the Western Invite, finishing fifth. Pros: NCAA transfer Max Davies showcased his raw talent with a top-five finish in his first U Sports meet, and the team was without their top runner Alec Purnell. Cons: Guelph has the depth, but needs more consistent performances from those outside their top four if they want to contend for a U Sports title. 

1. McMaster Marauders (OUA) +1

The Marauders have claimed the top spot in our September rankings after winning the Western Invite, despite missing the 2021 OUA champ, Andrew Davies. The addition of Dylan Alick is a game-changer for the Marauders, and it helped in London, placing four runners in the top eight. The Marauders’ depth and talent are going to be tough to beat this season. McMaster will host many of the top teams in the OUA at the Bayfront Open on Oct. 14.

Individual Title Top 5:

1. Jean-Simon Desgagnés (Laval)
2. Trevor Hofbauer (UBC Okanagan)
3. Alec Purnell (Guelph)
4. Max Turek (McMaster)
5. Matthew Beaudet (McGill)