West Kelowna nursing student Vernonika Fagan is a Canadian national champion after running to first place in the 2017 CCAA Cross-Country Running Championships on the weekend in Sainte-Therese, Quebec.

Running for the UBC OKanagan Heat, Fagan crossed the line 14 seconds ahead of the second place finisher in the six-kilometre race on Saturday, capitalizing on a strong start as she set the pace with a wire-to-wire win. The victory also means she receives all Canadian status in the CCAA.

害羞草研究所淐oming into the home stretch was a bizarre feeling because I have never won a big race like this before in my life,害羞草研究所� said Fagan. 害羞草研究所淚 felt like I chose the right university with the most amazing coaches, team and family supporting me through each race. I feel very fortunate for how my past three years have played out at UBCO.害羞草研究所�

A local racer was second and on Fagan害羞草研究所檚 heels for the entire race until she dropped the Quebec runner in the final kilometre.

害羞草研究所淥bviously I was nervous but I was also excited,害羞草研究所� said Fagan. 害羞草研究所淭he pacer on the bike was cheering for the girl I was running against the whole time along with basically everyone else because it was her home town. It didn害羞草研究所檛 seem to psych me out at all. I could also hear the encouraging words of everyone cheering for me.害羞草研究所�

With the gold medal run and other strong performances, the Heat women害羞草研究所檚 cross country team finished with a national bronze medal.

The next finisher for the UBCO women害羞草研究所檚 team was Camille Galloway, a nursing student and former varsity soccer player who finished 12th amongst the field of 130 runners. Julianna Neudorf and Alex Beswick were the other two scoring racers for the Heat finishing just nine seconds apart in 25th and 30th respectively.

The two displacers for UBC Okanagan were Josie Storey and Rachel Garrett. Storey finished at 24:24 in 44th place while Garrett was the 78th runner across the line at a time of 25:21.

害羞草研究所淓veryone finished strongly with a positive mindset,害羞草研究所� said Fagan. 害羞草研究所淚 am very happy with the results from each and every one of the ladies this season. We came to ntionals with a few variables but everyone pulled through and as a result we got a bronze medal.害羞草研究所�

Meanwhile, Michael Mitchell led the UBC Okanagan men害羞草研究所檚 team to a 10th place finish, two spots better than last year害羞草研究所檚 national championship. Mitchell finished just outside of All-Canadian status, the Kimberly, BC resident was 13th out of the 134 athletes lined up at the start.

To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.

newstips@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .