A very young women's cross country team at Laurentian University need look no further than their lead runner this fall to see what kind of progress is possible over the course of an OUA career if one is willing to put in the necessary time and effort in training.

In covering the eight kilometre course at the McMaster Bayfront Invitational last Friday in Hamilton in a time of 30:12 (42nd), Abby Lanteigne celebrated a drop of some five minutes in her best time at that distance during her three year tenure with the Voyageurs.

In doing so, Lanteigne provided a shining example to the likes of rookie Valerie Valiquette (32:14 - 101st), Georgia Lepage (32:19 - 102nd), Charlotte Grenier (32:58 - 111th), Claire Scholl (33:05 - 112th), Charli Borak (33:06 - 114th) and Ariel Gibbons (34:59 - 129th).

The Laurentian women finished 12th in a field of 14 competing universities on the flat and fast course at picturesque Bayfront Park.

Establishing himself as a definite contender to crack the top 14 and earn all-star OUA status at the provincial championships on October 25th in Kingston, senior Keon Wallingford once again led the Vees in the men's race, setting a new personal best time over an eight kilometre distance with a clocking of 24:38 (20th overall).

Following Wallingford was first year SPAD student Braeden Estabrooks from Timmins (76th - 26:11), Luke Ford (Brooklin - 103rd - 26:55), Alan Wilkin (Manitoulin - 143rd - 28:36), Travis Annett (Sudbury - 144th - 28:37) and Shiloh Sauve (Sudbury - 145th - 28:38).

"The men's team score slipped today so we will need to re-group, get healthy and be ready to battle in two weeks," noted Laurentian head coach Darren Jermyn. "There are five universities within just a handful of points of each other and we need to beat them all at the OUA championships if we want to race at the U Sports nationals in November."