2025 OUA Cross-Country Championships – Nipissing Lakers Team Report

October 24, 2025 - Fort Henry Heights, Kingston, Ontario

On a crisp and clear fall morning in Kingston, the 2025 OUA Cross-Country Championships unfolded under ideal running conditions. With temperatures holding steady at 8°C, no wind, and sunny skies, the championship course at Fort Henry Heights was fast and firm thanks to a full week of earlier races. Athletes faced four loops of a 2-kilometre circuit for the 8km championship distance, each lap featuring one punishing climb, but otherwise offering fast, lightly rolling terrain that rewarded rhythm and race strategy.

In the women's race, Guelph's Alexandra McDougall claimed the individual title in dominant fashion, stopping the clock at 26:50.5. Western, Queen's, and Windsor all showed remarkable depth, placing multiple athletes in the top 15 and battling fiercely for team honours with the tie for first place going to Queen's and being settled by 0.4s at the 6th scorer. While the Nipissing Lakers were unable to field five runners to score as a team, their four competitors made their presence known with strong efforts across the board.

Mackenzie Green led the way for Nipissing, producing a sensational personal best of 32:05.4 to finish 65th overall. Green ran a perfectly timed race, starting with discipline and gaining momentum with each lap. Her performance marked a dramatic improvement over her 2024 result at the OUA Championships, where she placed 81st in 34:33. This year, she cut one minute and twenty-eight seconds from her previous time, a leap forward that underlines her growth and competitive maturity. Following Green was rookie Mia Smith in 75th, clocking 32:48.6 in her OUA debut. Smith ran a steady and confident race, managing her pacing well in the early laps and holding form through the climbs. Charlotte Ailey was next across the line in 84th, finishing in 34:02.6. In her first OUA appearance, Ailey handled the course's physical challenges with poise, staying strong through the later stages. Rounding out the Lakers women was Kikiana Tsuruta, who crossed the line in 92nd place with a time of 38:19.9. Tsuruta dug deep to complete the tough 8km distance in her first championship race, showing perseverance that bodes well for future races.

Though they didn't feature in the team standings, the Lakers women walked away from Kingston with valuable experience and clear evidence of improvement. Green's breakthrough and the first-year trio's successful navigation of the OUA stage provide optimism for 2026, when a full scoring team appears well within reach.

In the men's race, Queen's University's Jude Wheeler-Dee led the field with a commanding victory in 23:26.7, chased closely by a deep pack of Guelph and McMaster athletes. The level of competition was high, with the top 30 finishers all under 25 minutes, setting a rapid pace from the gun. Amid this elite field, the Nipissing Lakers delivered a gritty and inspiring team performance to place 14th overall, with standout personal bests and courageous efforts across the board.

Leading the charge for Nipissing was Calvin Traczuk, who had the race of his life on championship day. Running with calm confidence and intelligent pacing, Traczuk surged to a huge personal best of 27:08.2 and finished 71st overall. Everything came together for him when it mattered most, and his performance marks a significant step forward for the second-year runner. Close behind was rookie Kelly Thompson, making an impressive OUA debut in 78th place with a time of 27:30.6. Thompson ran with composure and maturity, staying engaged with the pack and delivering a strong final kilometre.

Ewan Pengra, running one of his most consistent races of the season, crossed the line in 90th place in 28:32.1. Just behind him was Adam Edwards in 92nd, who had to overcome mid-race stomach issues but showed tremendous resilience to finish in 28:51.5. Rounding out the scoring five was Eily Woodman, who stepped up in a big way for the team, clocking 29:19.1 and placing 95th.

Several Lakers outside the scoring five also had noteworthy performances. Nolan Kenny, despite suffering a shoe malfunction mid-race and running the final kilometre in just his socks, battled through to a massive personal best of 32:44.9. It was a display of true grit and determination. Sam Bennett, typically a reliable contributor for the Lakers, wasn't quite himself on the day, finishing in 31:05.7, but remained a crucial part of the team's season-long journey to OUA.

For the men's squad, the 2025 OUA Championships offered a mix of breakthroughs, resilience, and valuable learning moments. With Calvin Traczuk emerging as a leader and Kelly Thompson quickly adapting to the university racing scene, the Lakers showed they are trending in the right direction. The team depth is growing, and with continued development, the Lakers are poised to climb the rankings in future seasons.

Together, the Nipissing Lakers cross-country teams demonstrated grit, improvement, and promise at the 2025 OUA Championships. From personal bests to gutsy comebacks, every runner contributed to a day that sets the stage for bigger performances ahead.