St. Joseph's Rams' junior girls won the team title at WOSSAA cross country to advance to OFSAA, including from far left, Sadie Dowswell, Abi Faris, Alex Fangeat, Claire Caslick and Flourish Nmor.
Two Rams teams head to OFSAA X-C
Junior girls win WOSSAA team title while senior
boys place second
October 24, 2023
By Rob J. Ross
CLINTON, Ont. - Two St. Joseph's Rams cross country teams are returning to OFSAA.
St. Joe's junior girls won their team title, while the senior boys placed second, at the WOSSAA cross country championships October 26 at St. Anne's high school.
Abi Faris led the junior team finishing fifth in the race, followed by Flourish Nmor, in 12th, Alex Fangeat, 13th and Claire Caslick, 23rd.
"We are feeling great returning to OFSAA and have big expectations," Faris said. "We knew we could get the win at WOSSAA and know we can contend for a medal this year at OFSAA. Last year our team placed fourth, so hopefully this year we can bring home a banner."
Every runner had to compete in rain and very muddy conditions along the WOSSAA course. Fortunately, the temperatures were warm, inviting many to clean off by diving in to large puddles following their races.
"The course conditions were horrible," said Faris. "The mud definitely changed the race. It made it challenging, but also fun. It took a bit of the pressure off the race and was a memorable team moment."
Ty Emre and Fowler Little, were 11th and 12th, respectively, to lead the senior Rams, followed by Lucas Skirtschak and Connor Crosby, in 19th and 20th place.
"It feels great to return to OFSAA, as our team has put in lots of work this year and it has paid off," said Emre. "The course conditions were the worst I've ever raced in, but my teammates helped me push myself to perform well.
"To have a good performance with the course conditions, we simply needed grit and a tough mindset."
Emre is hoping to finish among the top 50 at OFSAA and a top five showing for the team.
Diego Alban-Gasca placed fifth in the para race and will join the two Rams' teams at OFSAA.
St. Joseph's Rams' senior boys team placed second, at WOSSAA cross country to advance to OFSAA.
Hallman junior champ
Kirk Hallman won the junior boys race by 30 seconds, finishing the five kilometre race in 18 minutes flat, to lead the Dorchester Beavers team to second, behind London Aquinas.
River Neveu placed 21st, Spencer Erb, 23rd and Bennett Thomas, 24, to complete the Beavers top four runners.
Dorchester's Alex Szuckso had the best result for novice boys, placing 12th. Parkside Stampeders' Oliver Doolittle and Andrew Menlove, finished 17th and 18th, respectively.
Benji Gould had the East Elgin Eagles' best result, placing 29th in novice boys.
Dorchester's Aisha Medina was 13th in novice girls.
Eve Buczkowski led the Central Elgin Titans, finishing 21st, in junior girls, while Titans' Brody Mann was 29th, in senior boys.
Graham Miller was West Elgin Wildcats' top result, 51st in senior boys.
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