LFA Alumna Runs for University Champs

Despite a season where she was hampered with injury, Jackie Regan '11 helps UBC Thunderbirds win second consecutive NAIA title. The UBC Thunderbirds cross country team ended their season in historic fashion on Saturday morning, successfully defending their NAIA national title. The women were once again national champions while the men were eighth, good enough to give UBC a combined team championship, edging out Olivet-Nazarene University (Ill.).
(Press Release from UBC)

Saturday's win marked a number of historic feats for the UBC program. The Thunderbirds became just the third program in NAIA history to start the season with a No. 1 ranking and go on to win the national championship. UBC also becomes only the third school ever to have been ranked the No. 1 team for the entire season. In addition, UBC becomes only the fourth institution in NAIA history to win consecutive national championships. The only other schools to do so are Puget Sound (Wash.), California State San Marcos, and Simon Fraser University.

With six All-Americans, the UBC Thunderbirds dominated its competition on Saturday nearly doubling the score of second-place College of Idaho. British Columbia was led by third-year standout Maria Bernard who captured the bronze medal in the women's five-kilometre race. Catherine Farish had an outstanding breakthrough race; placing 11th while Amelie de Fenoyl was two seconds back in 12th.

The battle between College of Idaho and British Columbia was extremely tight after the first three scorers but the Thunderbirds pulled away thanks to great performances from runners fourth through seven.

Jackie Regan (LFA '11) covered the 5km distance in a time of 18 minutes and 20 seconds, good for a 19th place finish, despite being injured for the better part of the season.

Micha Gutmanis and Natalia Hawthorn snuck into the top-30 and will be bringing home some hardware after collecting All-American honours, with placing's of 28th, and 29th, respectively. Gutmanis capped off the Thunderbirds scoring giving them 56 points versus College of Idaho's 97. Biola (Calif.) wrapped up the podium positions placing third, equaling their ranking coming into the weekend.

Not to be outdone, Heather Slinn slipped into the top-50 with a 42nd place performance, an excellent way to cap off her cross country career with the UBC Thunderbirds.

College of Idaho's Hillary Holt successfully defended her individual title covering the course in a blistering time of 16 minutes, 48 seconds, nine seconds clear of second place.

Back

School Information

4195 Alexandra Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 4C6
Tel: 604-738-9016
Support LFA | Contact Us | School Calendar