StFX's Angus Rawling top men's finisher at Moncton's invitational cross country meet

(MONCTON, N.B.) StFX X-Men runner Angus Rawling took top honours on Saturday at the annual Université de Moncton cross-country classic on the Moncton campus.

Moncton's Carol-Ann MacDonald was the first-place finisher in the women's race. 

Carol-Ann MacDonald ran the 6km women's race in a time of 24:04.70 for a six-second lead over her closest rival at the finish line. 

Katie Robison (24:10.00) and Madalyn Higgins (24:49.60), both of Acadia University, were second and third. Zoe Johnston and Hana Marmura, of the X-Women, took fourth and fifth spots. 

There were 34 runners. MacDonald and both Acadia runners led most ot the way. The Aigles Bleues' runner took the lead in the last 300m. The StFX X-Women claimed a first-place team finish in the team standings followed by the Acadia Axewomen and the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues.  

"The race was not easy with rain water and the famous hill, but it was fun," said Carol-Ann MacDonald. Katie and I started slowly, but we had a good battle after the 3km. I took a better lead going down the hill on the last loop and I kept it. I hope to finish as high as possible at the AUS." 

In the men's race, Angus Rawlings led the way in the 8km distance with a time of 27:26.30. He was first from beginning to end. 

Alex Neuffer (27:43.30) and Paul MacLellan (28:46.90), both from the X-Men, were second and third. Levi Moulton of Memorial University Sea-Hawks and Mike Rogers of the Dalhousie Tigers completed the top five. 

There were 38 at the start line. In team standings, the X-Men were first followed by the Tigers and the Sea-Hawks. Université de Moncton was fourth. 

"The race was good," said Rawling. "Alex and I had a plan to start slowly and bring up the speed at every loop. We did train hard this week for the coming championships. That hill is always difficult, here. I feel I am ready for the AUS championships." 

The next race will be the Subway AUS Cross Country Championships, which will be hosted by Dalhousie University Saturday, Oct. 27 in Halifax at Point Pleasant Park. 

Source: Moncton Athletics Communications