With the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) Cross-Country Championship less than two weeks away, the Laurentian Voyageurs cross-country teams joined runners from 13 other universities in Ontario and New Brunswick, racing one final tune-up at the McMaster Marauder Lakefront Invitational in Hamilton this past weekend.

Participants were undoubtedly excited to tackle the flat and fast eight-kilometre course at the Christie Lake Conservation Area, with the Laurentian men placing seventh (of 13) and the women in tenth (of 14).

Showing the way for the L.U. gents, once again, was first year Sports Administration major Natnael Mulugeta who recorded a highly respectable 35th place finish in his hometown in a time of 25:04.

The Voyageur youngsters were once again in fine form as sophomore Braeden Estabrooks (51st - 25:29) and freshman Christian Myers (63rd - 25:51) ranked second and third on the team respectively. Also contributing to the team score were first year engineering student Owen McDougall (84th - 26:31) and local senior Brandon Radey (88th - 26:41).

"The men ran another solid team race today", noted Vees head coach Darren Jermyn. "We managed to narrowly beat our closest rivals in Waterloo, York, Ottawa and Brock, but we anticipate an extremely tight battle at the OUA Championships in two weeks."

In the women's race, fifth year education student Kylee Fowler showed a return to form, leading the Vees to a tenth-place team finish. The graduate of Ecole secondaire Catholique Champlain crossed the line in a time of 30:59, good for 59th place.

The future of the L.U. women's program featured prominently in her wake as Misaki Diavolitsis (1st year - 31:22 - 68th - 2nd on team), Charli Borak (2nd year - 32:00 - 84th - 3rd on team), Chloe Casselman (1st year - 32:01 - 85th - 4th on team) and Georgia Lepage (3rd year - 32:11 - 91st - 5th on team) rounded out the scoring for Laurentian.

"It was a bit of a tough day on the women's side as we let a few teams slide by us today," said coach Jermyn. "But seeing Kylee back on form was a good sign and if we can pack our runners up better in the mid-pack, we will definitely be in the thick of things at the OUA Championships."

The Vees will now begin their final preparations for the OUA Championships, hosted by the University of Windsor at Malden Park on October 31st.