VANCOUVER, WA - The UBC Thunderbirds men's and women's UBC cross-country teams will travel to NAIA Cross Country Championships in Vancouver, WA this weekend. Over 600 runners will meet on Saturday, November 21, 2009 to square off for individual and team national titles. The fierce competition will be decided at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site with the men's eight km race starting at 10:30 a.m. and the women's five km race starting at 11:45 a.m.
The Thunderbirds are ready after months of preparation to take on the 2009 season's final challenge. UBC men's team is led by Kerry Kazuta who has been at his best ever this season as a senior. Ben Thistlewood, who placed sixth at the conference championships just behind Kazuta, is another athlete who made tremendous progress this season. Two freshman on the team, Luc Bruchet and Rowan Forseth, are capable of competing at very high level. Sophmore Jordan Smith, Junior Nigel Hole and Sophmore Eric Cameron are integral part of this group and round out the team competing this weekend.
Head coach
Marek Jedrzejek had this to say about the men.
"The team's strength lays in the competitive depth of the athletes. It is next to impossible to speculate who will come in what position but it is fair to say that the athletes are capable of finishing within 30sec range from each other," said the longtime UBC boss.
The women's team is led by Sabrina Reeve who was among the top finishers at the conference meet. Freshman Maggie Woodward placed sixth at the NAIA Conference championships in San Marcos and both of the T-Birds top female runners have a shot at finishing in the top 30 and the title of an All-American. Nelly Amenyogbe and Alexandra Venner are reaching their top fitness level proven by the best ever Stanley park workout last Saturday. Brittany Imlach fighting injuries all season long is capable of running under 19 minutes. Freshman Lissa Zimmer had an excellent season so far, capable of beating her personal best.
Coach Jedrzejek predicts that both men's and women's teams are capable of surprises.
"There is mix of experienced and new very talented athletes on the team. All the athletes get a lot of enjoyment out of running and training together. The competitions are always special stop where National Championships is the top event in this pyramid."
Women
Sabrina Reeve
Maggie Woodward
Nelly Amenyogbe
Alexandra Venner
Jenny Strong
Brittany Imlach
Lissa Zimmer ?
Men
Kerry Kazuta
Ben Thistlewood
Luc Bruchet
Jordan Smith
Nigel Hole
Eric Cameron
Rowan Forseth
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