VERNON, B.C. – Maximilien Filion continued his spectacular Cross Country season Saturday in Vernon, capturing the men's senior title at the B.C. Cross Country Championships.

The third-year Thunderbird completed the 10 kilometre course in 31:32, a full 10 seconds ahead of former teammate and UBC alumnus, Liam Dwyer.

It was a terrific day on many fronts for the T-Birds with Mackenzie Campbell earning a fourth place finish in the women's senior division while second-year Rachel McDonald earned bronze in the women's U20 race with Steven Brittain taking silver in the men's U20 event.

"The B.C. Championships were a good opportunity for our group as we continue to prepare for the U SPORTS and Canadian Cross Country Championships in November," said UBC lead endurance coach, Steve Weiler. "We were happy to support BC Athletics and connect with the club community that developed and continues to support our varsity athletes."



Filion was joined on the podium by Dwyer and another T-Bird alum in bronze medallist Jonah Brost.

Mateo Aldana took tenth with a time of 33:48, one second ahead of fellow third-year Devon Meadows in 11^th.

The women's senior race was also full of blue and gold both past and present. UBC alumna Glynis Sim claimed gold with a time of 34:53 while fellow former Thunderbird Kiana Gibson took the bronze medal.

Campbell's time of 35:55 led all current T-Birds in the senior women's event with Elysse Fleming finishing fifth.



Amelia Pfohl, Katelyn Cotterrell and Abby Ylipahkala finished seventh, ninth and 10^th, respectively, with a total of five current and two former T-Birds in the top ten.

Brittain finished the eight-kilometre U20 men's race in 25:35 to claim his silver medal. The second-year was joined by teammate Calvin Brain on the podium as he took bronze, slightly ahead of freshman Thunderbird James Doughty's fourth place finish.

"I'm really happy with the effort I put forward today," said Brittain following the final tune-up ahead of next week's Canada West Championship. "I want to shout out my teammates Grace (Beach) and Rian (Wilson) for travelling up to Vernon to support. I felt a lot of love out there from many people."



Rachel McDonald's bronze time of 29:38 in the women's U20 race had the second-year set the pace for a barrage of T-Birds to follow. First-years Clare Goodison, Delphine Gosselin and Alexandra Smith finished fourth through sixth, respectively, while Zoe Unger's eighth place gave the T-Birds a combined five in the top eight.

With her third place finish, McDonald will join Brittain as automatic entries on Team B.C. for the upcoming Canadian Cross Country National Championships taking place in London, Ontario at the end of November.

"It was awesome to have the opportunity to race for a spot on Team BC today," said McDonald. "My teammates ran great races, with some of them qualifying for their first provincial Cross Country team. Overall, the race was a great stepping stone for our team as we look forward to Canada West next week!"



It is a quick turnaround for those who raced in Vernon with the 2025 Canada West Championship races set for Saturday, October 25 in Victoria.

The 'Birds will then have a week to recover before heading to Sherbrooke, Quebec for the U SPORTS National Championships on Saturday, November 8.
 
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