Thursday, December 09, 2004

Lisa's Race by Mike Coughlin

Lisa Labrecque Gives 100% at Nationals
by Mike Coughlin

Have you ever been in a race where you finished knowing you gave 100percent? I don't just mean a good solid effort, I mean the kind of effortwhere going back over the event you could not come up with a way you couldhave gone even 1 second faster. Ever done that? Well, Sudbury's LisaLabrecque had such an experience this past Saturday at the National crosscountry championships in Toronto. I have had the privilege of trainingwith Lisa a bit in recent weeks, and there was no question that she wasready for a personal best performance. With a 14th place at Nationals last year, this meant a good chance at cracking the top 10.

At Saturday's race, Lisa didn't just crack the top 10, she cracked the top 5with a stunning 5th place performance. In fact, Lisa was a mere 1 secondout of third, with placings 3-6 tearing across the line in a tight pack.

Talking to Lisa afterwards, it was clear that she had given everything,claiming that she had never been more completely expended at the end of arace. In going for it with everything she had, Lisa showed herself and therest of us what is possible when you commit yourself fully to a goal.

Great job Lisa! Details of her race and other local performances at this eventcan be found below in the Track North News Section.
http://www.sudburyrocks.ca/

Good Start to Season for Woods

University of Windsor Track and Field Press Release

Madeleine Woods, (Sudbury, ON - Track North) who is in her second year of competing for the Univerisity of Windsor's Indoor Track and Field Team (but first year running without being held together with glue and duct tape) started the 2004/2005 indoor season with some solid opening season performances at the annual Blue vs. Gold intrasquad meet held earlier this week.

Departing from her regular long sprint events, Madeleine took on the role of "track superhero" in attempt to lead her Gold team to victory. Despite outstanding performances of 7.50m in the shot (apparently the poor fellow stuck officiating this event strained his wrist because he had to shorten the measuring tape so much) and a 3000m time over 16 minutes (Madeleine was forced to finish this in the dark because everyone left and they turned the lights off), Woods' Gold Team was unable to catch Blue this year.

It should be noted that Madeleine did run times of 1:41.44 for the 600m (run solo) and 43.29 for the 300m at this low key meet. Both of these times are very close to Madeleine's best times from her injury plagued season last year and are a good indication of things to come this season. Woods also set a new 60m PB of 8.31 seconds and ran a 27.5 second 200m relay split and also competed in the 1000m race (no word on if the lights got turned off for that one as well but it's a safe bet).

Following the meet, Woods commented that she looks forward to some appointments with massage guru Rickey Goudreau upon her return to Sudbury for the Christmas holiday. She did not comment on whether or not she would continue as a multi-eventer but in an unrelated story, OTFA field event officials have planned an emergency meeting to discuss the possibility of replacing measuring tapes with short lightweight rulers to prevent future overuse injuries among officials.

Saturday, December 04, 2004

Canadian XC Champs, Sunnybrooke Park

Canadian Cross-Country Championships, Sunnybrooke Park, Toronto
Lisa Labrecque, of Sudbury's Track North Athletic Club, placed 5th at the Canadian Cross Country Running Championships at Toronto's Sunnybrooke Park this weekend. Labrecque, a member of Canada's team at the 2004 World Championships,improved on last year's 14th place finish with a personal best time of 20:53 over the 6 km course.

With 600m to go, Labreque was 10 metres behind the lead pack,but mounted a furious finish to move to fifth place. Her time in the blustery conditions was only one second away from a bronze medal.

"I've been coaching for 25 years, and I've never seen a cross-country finish like that," said Track North coach, Dick Moss. The third through 6th runners were neck and neck over the last 60 metres. It was a like the final round of a heavyweight fight with everyone exhausted but still swinging with everything they had."

The race was a qualifier for Canada's team for the 2005 World Championships in St. Galmier France in March, and Labrecque's performance puts her in the selection pool for the team.

"I've never hurt that much with 600m to go and be still be able to kick," said a tired but happy Labrecque. "It was a huge improvement and I feel like I've stepped up a level. And I've improved my chances of making the funded 4k squad at Worlds. Last year that team finished third in the world and was only beaten by two African teams.

"Also in the race was Laurentian's standout rookie runner, Kirsti Dolson, who finished 38th with a time of 23:53. Dolson, the youngest runner in the race, and Labrecque, who is an assistant coach with Laurentian and a teacher with the Rainbow School Board, train together in Sudbury.

In the Junior race, were Kaitlyn Tallman, 89th in 20:15/5k and Emma Tallman, 120th in 21:15/5k out of 148 runners.

"This is a unique race." said Moss. "It brings together the best runners in every event from 800m to marathon, including Olympians, National Team members,and Canadian Champions. They put them all on the line at the same time,fire the gun and tell them to duke it out."

The race was was won by Hamilton's Rebecca Stallwood, followed by Calgary's Malindi Elmore, Vancouver's Leah Pells, Edmonton's Megan Metcalfe,then Lisa Labrecque.

Saturday, November 20, 2004

OTFA XC Results

Here are the results of the OTFA XC Championships, held in Pickering this weekend (it took until today to get the results). Outstanding time by Lisa on a very hilly course.

SENIOR WOMEN, (6125 m)
3rd, Lisa Labrecque, 21:12 (PB!) (5K Split: 17:18)
8th, Donna Mae Robins, 22:33

JUVENILE GIRLS (3855m)
11th, Kaitlyn Tallman, 14:33

MIDGET GIRLS (3135M)
51st, Annagret Henninger, 13:08
89th, Stephanie Hart, 14:34
99th, Ronnie Spencer, 15:20

BANTAM GIRLS (1985m)
6th, Emma Tallman, 7:48

Saturday, November 13, 2004

CIS XC Results

CIS Cross-Country Running Championships,
Guelph Lakes Golf Course, November 13th, 2004


The Laurentian Women's cross-country running team placed 13th at the CIS Championships this weekend in Guelph.
Leila Angrand finished 41st with a time of 18:57 over the 5km course. She was followed by rookie Kirsti Dolson, in 18:59, Alicia Kaye, 77nd in 19:36, rookie Jennie Oliver, 106th, 20:55, Melanie Muise, 108th in 20:59, and rookie Marnie Smith, 112th in 21:13.

"Leila had some bad luck." said Rickey Goudreau, the squad's massage therapist. "She made a mis-step at the 1km mark, took a major jolt and actually popped a rib. I'm amazed she was able to finish the race."

"Aside from Leila's injury, it was a great way to finish the season," said head coach, Dick Moss. "The girls had their best race of the year and every runner gave absolutely everything they had. We beat a team that was ahead of us at the OUA's and another that has been top-ten-ranked for most of the season."

"I was hoping to finish in the 12-15 range, so 13th was a solid result for us."

Results
Leila Angrand, 41st, 18:57
Kirsti Dolson, 46th, 18:59
Alicia Kaye, 77th, 19:36
Jennie Oliver, 106th, 20:55
Melanie Muise, 108th, 20:59
Marnie Smith, 112th, 21:13

Team Score: 363

Other TNOR Results
Also in the race were Sudbury's Serena Jennings, and Liz Forbes, representing the university of Guelph. Jennings placed 26th with a time of 18:37 and Forbes was 34th in 18:49. Their Gryphons squad placed second in the team standings.

Tammy Dufresne placed 54th in a PB 19:07, helping her Windsor squad to an 11th place finish

Tuesday, November 02, 2004

NOSSA Results

Results: NOSAA XC, Espanola Golf Course
Most of stated distances are probably quite a bit short

SENIOR BOYS, 7k
1. Kyle Caverson, 23:13
11. Eric Ouellette, 25:03
16. Jeff Turgeon, 25:09

SENIOR GIRLS, 5k
8. Tessa Skot, 18:55

JUNIOR BOYS
19. Sean Kershaw, 23:39

JUNIOR GIRLS 4k
3. Annagret Henninger, 15:18

MIDGET GIRLS 4K
51. Jena Kiviaho, 17:09

Congrats to Kyle Caverson, Tessa Skot and Annagret Henninger, who will be competing at OFSAA XC this weekend, in Guelph

Saturday, October 30, 2004

OUA Results

Ontario University Cross-Country Running Championships, 2004
Sunnybrooke Park, Toronto

Laurentian University's Leila Angrand won her second consecutive bronze medal at the Ontario University Cross-Country Running Championships this weekend. Angrand ran a time of 18:12 over a 5k course that looped around Toronto's Sunnybrooke Park. Angrand's finish also earned the native Sudburian OUA All-Star honours for the second year in a row.

"That was the fastest I've ever seen Leila finish a race," said assistant coach Darren Jermyn. "She was 27 seconds off third place, then absolutely flew when she hit the final kilometre marker. It wasn't until the final 10 metres that she won her medal."

Kirsti Dolson of Orillia, placed 22nd with a time of 19:21. She was the 3rd rookie across the line.
Laurentian finished 9th in the team standings, with 204 points - one spot from their goal of top-eight. "The girls ran hard, but with three rookies starting, the team is a year away from being truly competitive at this level." said Head Coach, Dick Moss. "But they're a tough bunch and I'm proud of how they competed."

Complete Laurentian Results were:
Leila Angrand, 3rd, 18:08
Kirsti Dolson, 22nd, 19:21
Alicia Kaye, 47th, 20:00
Melanie Muise, 63rd, 20:48
Jennie Oliver, 71st, 21:10
Marnie Smith, 74th, 21:26
Caitlin Tino, 82nd, 22:55

Also in the race were Sudbury's Liz Forbes and Serena Jennings who helped the University of Guelph to a first place finish. Forbes, a Lockerby Secondary School graduate, placed 7th with a time of 18:32. Jennings, a Lo-Ellen grad finished in 8th in 18:37. Both Forbes and Jennings were named to the OUA All-Star team.

Lockerby grad, Joe Yawney, representing the University of Ottaway, placed 50th in the men's race, with a time of 35:38 over the 10 km course.

Saturday, October 16, 2004

Penn State Results

http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=6774

Tremendous run for Liz - ahead of teammate Laura Moulton. There were346 runners in the race!!

17. Univ Of Guelph - Team Place
11 Kristina Rody 20:58 5:37
80 Liz Forbes 22:38 6:04
101 Laura Moulton 22:49 6:07
140 Donna Verge 23:21 6:15
142 Erin Sask 23:21 6:16
187 Susie Egar 23:52 6:24
221 Michelle Basu Roy 24:16 6:30

Queen's Invitational Results, Kingston Ontario

The Laurentian University Women's Cross-Country Running Team completed their regular season with some exceptional individual results at the Queen's Open in Kingston this weekend.

Sudbury's Leila Angrand finished first among university runners with a time of 19:13 over the windy 5k course. With the field grouped up because of the conditions, Angrand broke from the pack with over 2 kilometres to go, building a sizeable 10 second lead over McGill's Laura Wilson.

"The pace felt slow, said Angrand. "So I decided to risk being by myself and I made a move."

Kirsti Dolson finished 6th among university athletes, with a time of 19:50. She was the first rookie to finish. She was followed by Sudbury's Melanie Muise, 33rd in 21:42, Perth's Jennie Oliver, 35th in 21:45, the Sault's Marnie Smith, 42nd in 22:00, Toronto's Caitlin Tino, 50th in 22:20 and Tottenham's Sheryl Neal, 55th in 22:51.
The team finished 4th among university teams with 110 points. University team scores were as follows:

1. York University: 98
2. Queen's U: 123
3. McGill: 135
4. Laurentian 165
5. Waterloo: 166
6. U. of Ottawa: 210
(For those of you who saw the initial results sheet - they updated them to score the first five, instead of the first four).

"You can probably deduct a minute from those times because of the wind." said Head Coach, Dick Moss. "But I'm really happy with the way everyone ran. We have a better team than people realize and with a full squad at OUA's we might surprise some people."

Laurentian assistant Coach, Lisa Labrecque, won the open category, winning by a six second margin over last year's CIS champion, Beth Wightman,with a time of 18:24. Labrecque, a teacher with the Rainbow District School Board, is a member of the National Cross-Country team.

Thursday, October 14, 2004

Team Tallman Results

More great results from all 3 Team Tallman members.

Once again racing in large fields (approx 120-150 runners in each race) Emma, Rebecca and Kaitlyn had some impressive results at the Wildcat Invitational Cross Country Meet held today in Hamilton.

Midget Girls 3030m
Emma Tallman - 2nd - 12:26

Junior Girls 3940m
Rebecca Tallman - 5th - 16:57

Senior Girls 4625 m
Kaitlyn Tallman - 1st - 17:42 (Kaitlyn "cruised" this race!)

Both Emma and Kaitlyn won shoes for their overall performances in the Golden Horseshoe Series!!

Full results can be found at: http://www.coppsindoor.org/xcdefault.htm

Thursday, October 07, 2004

Mustang Open Results

Mustang Open
Thursday October 7th,Gibbons Park, London, Ontario


The Laurentian University Cross-Country Running team celebrated the Thanksgiving weekend with a 7th place finish at the Mustang Open in London, Ontario. Rookie, Kirsti Dolson from Orillia, led the squad, finishing 6th among university runners with a personal best time of 14:52 over the 4km course. She was followed by rookie Jennie Oliver from Perth, 30th in 15:59, Sudbury's Melanie Muise, 32nd in 16:04, Toronto's Caitlin Tino, 42nd in 16:45, Sheryl Neal of Totteham, 44th in 17:03, and Guelph's Kim Kilpatrick, 52nd in 22:56.

Laurentian was missing Leila Angrand and Marnie Smith, because of exams, and Alicia Kaye because of a foot injury. There were 188 competitors in the race.

"We're still running without a full squad," said Coach Dick Moss, "But I'm hoping we'll get everything together by the OUA's in three weeks. In the meantime, Kirsti Dolson had another exceptional race and keeps showing that she's one of the best rookies in the OUA."

Laurentian's next race is the Queen's Open in Kingston on Saturday October 16th.

Laurentian Results (University Section - 4km):
Kirsti Dolson, 6th, 14:52
Jennie Oliver, 30th,15:59
Melanie Muise,32nd, 16:04
Caitlin Tino, 42nd, 16:45
Sheryl Neal, 44th, 17:03
Kim Kilpatrick, 52nd, 22:56

Other Sudbury Results:
Julie Forbes, McMaster U, 38th,16:32
Al Salmoni, 76th, 23:42 (6km)

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

Iona Invite HS X-C Results

Team Tallman once again had some great results this past Tuesday at the Iona Invitational held at Centennial Park in Etobicoke.

In the Midget Girls race, Emma Tallman placed 6th out of 261 runners, completing the 3100m course in 12:39.

In the Senior Girls race, Kaitlyn Tallman placed 4th out of 325 runners, running 17:30 over the 4600m course.

Full results (except for the SG times) can be found at http://www.mississaugatrack.org/

Monday, October 04, 2004

Track North Results

Williamette Invitational - Oregon - 5k XC
Check out these times - huge PB's!!
* Liz Forbes, Guelph U, 18th, 18:17.35
* Serena Jennings, Guelph U,, 20th, 18:19.67

Run for the Cure, Sudbury (5k - Road)
* Mike Coughlan (Men), 3rd, 18:13
* Tessa Skot (Women), 2nd, 22:00 (PB)

Somewhere in Ohio - Road Race - 5k
* Steve Eles, 1st in Men's, 15:39
* Sarah Eles, 1st in Women's, 21:58
(The Eles clan took home a cool $300 from the race)

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Saunders, Tallman Results

Here are some random results from TNORthers from around the province:

First Fall Run (Kitchener Auditorium Centennial Stadium)
8.1 km -
Ryan Saunders, 1st (31:03)

Tues Sept 28th Bulldog Invitational St Catharines (part of Golden Horseshoe XC Series)
Midget Girls - 3km
Emma Tallman - 12:18 - 3rd

Senior Girls - 4.9km
Kaitlyn Tallman - 18:47 - 2nd

Saturday, September 25, 2004

Western International Results

Nice runs by Liz Forbes and Serena Jennigs, who both cracked the 19:00 minute barrier to help their Guelph team to a first place finish at the Western International XC Race this weekend. Also competing at the meet, was Joe Yawney (for Ottawa) and coach Darren Jermyn, who competed in the Alumni race.

Laurentian Results
14th, Kirsti Dolson, 18:56
37th, Alicia Kaye, 19:48
85th, Caitlin Tino, 21:09
86th, Marnie Smith, 21:10
91st, Jennie Oliver, 21:32
102nd, Nina Spadafore, 22:09

Other Sudbury Results
9th, Liz Forbes (Guelph - 1st team), 18:50
11th, Serena Jennings (Guelph - 1st team), 18:52
90th, Julie Forbes (McMaster), 21:43

Saturday, September 18, 2004

Results - Don Mills Open Cross-Country Meet, Waterloo Ontario

Laurentian Women's Cross-Country Running Team competed at the Don Mills Open cross-country running meet this Saturday, and came away with two medals and a 5th place team finish.

Last year's OUA Rookie of the Year, Leila Angrand of Sudbury, placed first in the university division with a time of 14:42 over the 4 kilometre course. The bronze medal was won by rookie Kirsty Dolson of Orillia, with a time of 15:22. She was followed by three more rookies, Marnie Smith of Sault Ste Marie, 40th in 16:47, Jennie Oliver of Perth, 49th in 17:03 and Nina Spadafore of Timmins, 58th in 17:50. Melanie Muise of Sudbury, competing as an open athlete in this event, placed 56th overall in 16:50.

Said Coach, Dick Moss, "We were missing three of our four vets today, but our rookies ran extremely well in their first race against other OUA teams. Leila looks like she's picking up where she left off last year, and it was tremendous debut for Kirsti Dolson."

UNIVERSITY DIVISION - Individual Results
1st, Leila Angrand, 14:42
3rd, Kirsti Dolson, 15:22
40th, Marnie Smith, 16:47
49th, Jennie Oliver, 17:03
58th, Nina Spadafore, 17:50

Other TNOR Results:
22nd, Tammy Dufresne (Windsor), 16:14
36th, Julie Forbes (McMaster), 16:40

UNIVERSITY DIVISION - TEAM RESULTS
1st, U. of Toronto - 84 points
2nd, Windsor - 104 points
3rd, York U - 140 points
4th, Laurier - 155 points
5th, Laurentian - 169 points
6th, McMaster - 171 points
7th, Waterloo - 172 points
8th, Guelph - 204 points

Thursday, September 09, 2004

Thanks to Ron Poirier, Vince Purdue, and Malcolm Steven!

Thanks to Ron Poirier, Vince Purdue and Malcolm Steven, who not only organize the Firecracker 5k road race, they usually donate a portion of the proceeds to Track North. This week, Ron donated $500 to TNOR!