Chesoo, Swartz lead the way in SAIT-hosted Grand Prix

By SAIT Trojans Student Writer
Colton Pankiw
CALGARY, ALTA., (Sep. 17, 2022) – Saturday was a successful day for the SAIT Trojans cross-country running team, who had many of their athletes impress at the second 2022 ACAC Grand Prix event of the season.

The women's side began first, where SAIT's Jill Stewart ran an excellent 6-kilometre race with a finishing time of 26:51(mins:sec) - good enough to earn her a fifth place finish. Red Deer Polytechnic's Jenica Swartz crossed the tape first in a time 24:34, while Medicine Hat College's Rebecca Ross (25:33) and Concordia University of Edmonton's Taylor Chamberlain (26:33) took second and third place, respectively.

Red Deer also earned first place in the women's team event, earning 30 points. St. Mary's University (56) took second, while Lethbridge College (82) took third.

As for the men's side, the Trojans saw a number of their members finish amongst the top competitors. Leading the way was Tofik Said, who earned himself second place in the 8km race with a time of 26:43. Coming in right behind him for third place was teammate Yahye Jama with a finishing time of 27:07. Continuing the superb day was Keiran Marchand, who was able to earn himself a fifth-place finish with a time of 27:59, while rounding out the list was Brian Rono who finished 41st amongst all competitors at 37:50.

ACAC legend, and Concordia student athlete, Leonard Chesoo continued his position atop the men's individual race, taking first place in a time of 26:37.

The SAIT men combined efforts to take second place with 41 points, finishing just behind Red Deer Polytechnic (30) and just ahead of Lethbridge College (57).

Next up for the Trojans will be a chance to see what they will be running on when the ACAC Championships take place in late October when they head to Edmonton to run on Oct. 1 in the third Grand Prix event of the year, hosted by Concordia University of Edmonton.