Cool and windy conditions greeted the Men's and Women's Nipissing Lakers Cross Country teams at the 2024 Laurentian Open cross-country race.

Despite the challenging weather, the race proceeded smoothly, with athletes pushing through the wind on the familiar 5km course, a mix of paved roads and gravel paths that have remained unchanged for over 20 years.

Like in previous years, the combined race for men, women, and community runners made for an exciting and competitive field of over 100 participants.

Men's Race Recap: 
The Lakers Men showed strong performances, finishing second overall with 32 points, just behind Laurentian University's team (23 points).

Leading the charge for Nipissing was Ethan Aarts, finishing 2nd overall in 16:39, just one second slower than his 2023 winning time of 16:38. Despite the marginal difference, Aarts' consistency in performance continues to anchor the team.

Calvin Traczuk, a new face to the team, came in strong with a 5th place finish in 16:57. He provided a solid boost to the team, stepping in for veterans and making an immediate impact.

Returning from last year, Noah Cornish clocked in at 17:26, finishing 7th. This was a 16-second improvement from his 2023 time of 17:42, showcasing the benefits of his continued dedication to training.

Japhy-kai Crookham, another newcomer, contributed to the Lakers' performance with an 8th place finish in 17:37, while Adam Edwards rounded out the top five for Nipissing in 10th place with a time of 17:59.

Although the Lakers were edged out by Laurentian this year, the combination of veteran consistency and new talent bodes well for the remainder of the season.

Women's Race Recap: 
The Lakers Women finished second in the team standings with 37 points, behind a dominant Laurentian squad, which scored 18 points.

Emily Drenth returned as the team leader, finishing 5th overall in 20:20, slightly faster than her 2023 time of 20:47. She has quickly become a dependable force for the team, with steady improvements year over year.

In her first Laurentian Open, Mackenzie Green placed 6th with a time of 20:37. Her impressive debut strengthens the Lakers' lineup, providing much-needed depth.

Blaise Gravelle, who was 6th in 2023 with a time of 21:41, improved her performance in 2024, clocking in at 20:43, securing 7th overall.

Chanelle Duffy continued to progress, finishing in 9th place with a time of 22:09, which was a notable improvement from her 14th place finish last year (23:12).

Finally, Abby MacMillan, her first race after a long recovery from injury that sidelined her last year, contributed to the team's score with a 10th place finish in 23:43.

Although her time was slower than the Lakers' other runners, she demonstrated resilience in the challenging weather conditions.

Looking Ahead: 
The Nipissing Lakers continue to train diligently, aiming to build on their strong start to the 2024 season.

Their next competition will be the Vigars and Salters Western Invitational, held at Thames Valley Golf Course, London, Ontario, on Saturday, September 21.

With new talent and improved performances from returning athletes, both the men's and women's teams are poised for an exciting season ahead.