Saskatoon –
Courtney Hufsmith crossed the finish line over two minutes before her closest competition as the University of Saskatchewan Huskie women's and men's cross country teams got their 2018 season off to a strong start at the Cougar Trot in Regina, SK on Sept. 15.
Battling against the Regina Cougars in Wascana Park, the Huskie women's team earned a total of 29 points, just three behind the Cougars.
Hufsmith led the way in a time of 21:06.78 as the third-year athlete started her season off with a bang.
Not far behind Hufsmith was
Hillary Mehlhorn, who earned a third-place finish in a time of 23:12.56. For Mehlhorn, a transfer from the Univeristy of Regina, it was a personal best time on a course that she knows well.
Also in the top ten were
Olivia Chadwick,
Dezeray Wapass and
Natalia Bidulka, finishing in 6th, 9th and 10th respectively. It was the first race of Wapass' university career and the rookie from Big River First Nation, SK impressed in her debut outing.
On the men's side of the draw,
Jared Welsh was the top Huskie as the fourth-year athlete finished the 8 km race in eighth overall.
Taryn Heidecker,
Jon Fernandes,
Graham Wilson and
Kaden Nilson all crossed the line as a tight group, ranging from 12th-15th.
Next up for the Huskies is the annual
Sled Dog Open that will take place in Victoria Park on Saturday, Sept. 29.
Women's Results
Courtney Hufsmith – 1st: 21:06.78
Hillary Mehlhorn – 3rd: 23:12.56
Olivia Chadwick – 6th: 24:05.62
Dezeray Wapass – 9th: 24:24.31
Natalia Bidulka – 10th: 24:35.78
Sydney Neufeld – 11th: 24.53.91
Sonia Rees – 12th: 25.22.53
Men's Results
Jared Welsh – 8th: 27:25. 18
Taryn Heidecker – 12th: 28:13.50
Jon Fernandes – 13th: 28:20.59
Graham Wilson – 14th: 29:14.56
Kaden Nilson – 15th: 29:25.28
