Did you know that cross country runners only touch the ground 25% of the time. That leaves them airborne 75% of the time, so if the race is 8km they're actually flying for 6km! Now that you know that, I will tell you that a fine fleet of Augustana runners took flight over Crimson Ridge Golf Course in Sault St. Marie, Ontario on November 12. 

Despite the blistering pace over the first kilometre, Vikings Matthieu Martin, Joedy Dalke, Bryce Turner, and Reece Bailey over took runner after runner, passing as many as 40 runners over the 8km course. The final placings were 38, 41, 75, and 92 respectively out of a deep field. While all these runners destroyed personal best times by more than 30 seconds each, it was Camrose native Michael Cole who showed the true grit of the Vikings. At 5km, Michael rolled his ankle, spraining it so badly he slowed to a mere hobble. Rather than drop from the race, Michael resolved to finish what he started, and grimaced his way to the end, laying down an epic Viking finish. With Michael slowed from his ankle, Reece Bailey stepped up had the race of his life to secure a 13th place team result for 2016. Matt and Joedy ran a smart race, leading the Vikings. 

We also want to use this space to thank all our senior, graduating runners for their dedication to Vikings XC over the past years. Thank you Reece Bailey, Michael Cole, Sasha Eccleston and Brianna Schultz for four or more outstanding years of running.

Once a Viking, Always a Viking.

We are excited for next fall where we hope to bust into the top ten at nationals and continue to impress here in Alberta. The hard work starts now.