UBC Okanagan Heat women's cross country team races to best ever finish at national championship

The UBC Okanagan Heat women's cross-country team were in Halifax over the weekend to compete at the U Sports National Championships.

Over 150 competitors from 21 schools were ready to brave the wild weather, with gale force winds reaching 60 km/h, coming from the remnants of Hurricane Nicole.

Despite the winds, the Heat were able to power through the eight kilometre course, finishing fifth overall, their best ever performance at nationals.

"I am very proud of this team," said head coach Malindi Elmore. "They all were really gritty out there and they all went into it with a really positive mindset and I think that really showed. Everyone ran the best race they were capable of running and you can't ask for anything more at a national championship."

Leading the way for UBC Okanagan was the fifth year senior Joanna Brown. The Carp, Ont. native finished eighth, with a time of 29 minutes and 14 seconds. Her performance earned her a spot on the U Sports Second Team All-Canadian. She now finished her U Sports carer with one first team selection and four second team selections, as she spent three years prior with the Guelph Gryphons.

WXC - Brown still with the leaders starting lap 3! #FeedTheFlame🔥 pic.twitter.com/moag8DfXMO

— UBCO Heat 🔥 (@UBCOHeat) November 12, 2022

"I can genuinely say it was the most fun racing as long as I can remember," said Brown. "I think the conditions were incredible. It was so much fun to walk out to the start line and it's pouring rain and there's wind and everyone's kind of smiling because it's so ridiculous. I just loved every second of it."

Fifth-year transfer Emily Simpson from Creston, BC, ended her career on a high note with a best-ever national championship result. She finished 27th, with a time of 30:15.

All remaining Heat runners finished within a minute of Simpson's time. Eliyah Brawdy of Smithers, BC placed 38th (30:39), while Kirsten Smith was 46th (30:47) and Kate Milne was 51st (31:01).

Brooke Lawlor and Abigail Yakemchuk, both competing in their first national championship, rounded out the heat runners, with a 87th and 125th performance respectively. The top five from each school's time were counted and averaged out.

The result for the Heat on Saturday was the second-best showing ever as a program, following the Heat women's volleyball team from 2016 that won bronze at nationals.

For full results of the race, please click here.