SASKTOON – For the second meet in a row rookie Kaitlyn Harrison led the way for the Huskies, as the University of Saskatchewan cross country teams finished second and fifth at the annual Sled Dog Open on Saturday, Sept. 28.
 
The meet was about more than the results however, as student-athletes from the Regina Cougars, Alberta Golden Bears / Pandas, Manitoba Bisons and UBC Okanagan Heat joined the Huskies in wearing orange singlets at the race. In partnership with Saskatchewan Aboriginal Track and Field the Huskies ran in support of Orange Shirt Day for the second year in a row. The day also featured a Smudging Ceremony as well as presentation of a traditional gift from the Huskie cross country captains to a group of First Nations Elders
 
Harrison came across the line second in a time of 32:10 in the women's race, helping lead a young group to a team finish of 40 points, just nine behind the champion Alberta Pandas.
 
Also finished top-10 for the Huskie women was fellow first-year Allison Grajczyk-Jelinski who finished 4th (32:43) and Natalia Bidulka who crossed the line 9th (33:54).
 
On the men's side Jon Fernandes was the top Huskie, with his 14th-place finish helping Saskatchewan to a team total of 111 points, well back of the first place Golden Bears and their team total of 20.
 
Next up for the Huskies is a trip to Calgary, where they will compete in the newly-revived Canada West cross country championship on October 26.
 
Women's Team Results
1: Alberta Pandas – 31 points
2: Saskatchewan Huskies – 40 points
3: UBC Okanagan Heat – 61 points
 
Men's Team Results
1: Alberta Golden Bears – 20 points
2: Regina Cougars – 62 points
3: Manitoba Bisons – 66 points
4: UBC Okagan Heat – 102 points
5: Saskatchewan Huskies – 111 points
 
Huskie Women's Results
2: Kaitlyn Harrison - 32:10
4: Allison Grajczyk-Jelinski - 32:43
9: Natalia Bidulka - 33:54
20: Gabriella Antaya - 35:16
23: Katie Farmer - 35:51
27: Dezeray Wapass - 36:14
29: Lindsay Balezantis - 36:18
31: Gill Phillips - 36:43
 
Huskie Men's Results
14: Jon Fernandes - 27:42
24: Dylan Bauman- 28:23
26: Anthony Antaya - 28:30
32: Jared Welsh - 28:46
54: Eric Swedlo - 33:22