CIS championships preview: Will we see an end to Guelph’s reign as Canada’s best?

A few days out from Saturday’s Canadian university cross-country championships, we preview the top individuals and potential story lines as the University of Guelph aims for its 10th consecutive sweep of the team titles.

WOMEN (6K, 11:30 a.m. EST)

Individuals

No risk: Gabriela Stafford (Toronto) and Heather Petrick (or any other Guelph athlete)

Low-risk: Julie-Anne Staehli (Queen’s) and Sarah Inglis (TWU)

Medium-risk: Colleen Wilson (Dalhousie) and Stefanie Smith (Windsor)

High-risk: Lisa Brooking (TWU) and Melanie Myrand (McGill)

Reasons why Guelph will repeat: The Gryphons have won the CIS championship 10 consecutive seasons. The Gryphons handily won OUAs, while sitting out 2014 Ontario university champion Heather Petrick, who is expected back this Saturday.

Reasons why Guelph will be upset: Betting against Guelph in this scenario would be akin to favouring the Washington Generals over the Harlem Globetrotters. But for argument’s sake, Toronto may have had a chance with Sasha Gollish in the mix but she won’t be racing. Now, Trinity Western has the best chance of the field. If Inglis, the team’s low-stick, can get on the podium, and Guelph’s top runner finishes outside of the top-five, the Spartans may have a case. Like the men’s team, the Guelph women have never won a CIS championship at home (Dalhousie won in 2004, the last time Guelph hosted). 

What the contenders had to say

Staehli: “Heading into the championships, I try not to overthink things, but rather, just have confidence in all the work I’ve done up to this point. I felt good crossing the finish line at OUAs and this year I think I am stronger, and also smarter. My schooling and house of seven girls keeps me preoccupied prior to departure but I’m always a little bit nervous leading up to race-day.”

Stafford: “In the lead-up to the race I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. I’ll have a couple more quality workouts and then start to taper. I trust myself on the day of to know what I need to do.”

Inglis: “Individually, I want to run my best and perform when it matters. I’m taking confidence from my race at the BC championships, so I am excited for Saturday. As a team, especially with it being my last race as a Spartan, we are looking to challenge for the title!”

MEN (10K, 12:20 p.m. EST)

Individuals

No risk: Aaron Hendrikx and Tristan Woodfine (Guelph)

Low-risk: Alex Wilkie (Queen’s) and Paul Janikowski (Windsor)

Medium-risk: Matt McNeil (Dalhousie) and Kevin Tree (Lakehead)

High-risk: Declan White (Trinity Western)

Reasons why Guelph will repeat: Guelph is the host university, who train on the course on a daily basis, and haven’t lost a CIS championship race since 2005. Coach Dave Scott-Thomas always has his athletes peak for the championship races, and the team’s core remains similar to year’s past.

Reasons why Guelph will be upset: Windsor’s fifth is better than Guelph’s fifth. Windsor beat Guelph the last time the race was in Guelph back in 2004. Windsor was just one-point back of Guelph at the Ontario university championships, which may have ignited the proverbial fire. There are enough good athletes from other regions that will break up Windsor and Guelph’s pack.

What the contenders had to say

Janikowski: “Knowing that all of us could have pushed a little extra to get that one point at OUAs is something we can build off. Plus, we’ve seen the teams from out west, which gives us a better taste of what we can expect on Saturday. Individually, I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder since it’s my last season so I’m going to key off the front guys and put myself in a good spot the first half of the race and go from there.”

McNeil: “My plan on Saturday is to put myself in the mix and get up with the front guys in the early stages since there will be plenty of bodies to jostle with. I don’t have the track credentials or top speed like some of the other athletes so I’m going to use my cross-country strength to my advantage and try to exploit the other’s weaknesses on the hill that we see four times throughout the race.”

White: “I am charged up and confident that our team is going to bring the heat to the battle that is the CIS championships. At the same time I’m sure the rest of the CIS is going to fight just as hard for it so we’re looking forward to what the race has to offer.”

The live stream will be available here on race day, Nov. 14.

Photos Courtesy: Cross-Country et athlétisme