On Saturday, September 14, the Mt. A’s cross country team competed in their first meet of the 2024 season. The meet was hosted by Crandall University at Mapleton Park in Moncton as part of the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA). The ACAA cross country season consists of four meets, three preliminary, and one regional championship meet. In order to compete at the championship, racers must complete at least two of the three preliminary meets.
At their first meet, the women raced first (6km) and were succeeded by the men’s race (8km). Five teams total competed in the race with Crandall University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Holland College, and Dalhousie Agricultural Campus competing alongside Mt. A. It is worth noting that of these teams, Mt. A is the only club team, which means all other teams have tight varsity regulations regarding how many hours they must spend practicing per week. Whereas Mt. A cross country athletes can come and go as they please.
The women’s team placed first overall with fourth-year Claire Wilbur placing third individually. Meanwhile, the men’s team placed second overall with first-year Maxen Morrison placing fifth overall. Mapleton Park is one of Moncton’s most popular green spaces, and has been a race course previously in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, being the championship course in 2022. Third-year Anna Irwin shared that “Personally [the race] felt great, since it was my third time running the course now”.
Coach Claire Pabody enthusiastically shared her favourite moments from the meet, including the fact that four runners (three men and one woman) raced for the first time ever. Pabody explained that first-time races are “one of the most fun and exciting moments of accomplishment.” Pabody enjoyed watching the first-years race, whether it was their first-ever meet or not. One highlight, according to Pabody, was when three women stuck together for the majority of the race, running together as a pack and helping each other stay motivated “which is the key to success in cross country.”
Speaking of successes, following the club fair, thirty-five new runners attended the first team practice on September 10 — a new record. Mount Allison Cross Country is a unique club because you can commit as much time and effort as you wish, and racing is entirely optional. Practices take place Tuesdays and Thursdays through the end of October, meeting at 5 p.m. in front of the Chapel. According to new assistant coach, Charles Douglas, there have been at least twenty-four attendees at each practice this season. Pabody explained that the team “is so welcoming, friendly, and encouraging which is why people keep coming back.”
The ACAA cross country season will feature three more meets this fall. First they will compete in Fredericton, hosted by St. Thomas on September 28. Next, in Truro, hosted by Dalhousie Agricultural Campus on October 5, and finally Holland College will host the championship on PEI on October 26.
Follow @mta.crosscountry on Instagram for photos and updates about practices, meets, and events/fundraisers! The cross country team can be reached at [email protected] and Coach Claire can be reached at [email protected].
