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Most students started their Saskatoon high school new year in early September and the cross country season is already sprinting to a quick finish barely a month later.

City championships will take place October 2 at Victoria Park with provincials on October 12 in Humboldt.

The StarPhoenix presents our team-by-team snapshots of athletes for each school and expectations for the season as it winds up. Coaches for each team have provided their valuable insights.

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Aden Bowman Bears

Coach: Nicole Poier

Athletes to watch

• Mateo Trejo-Monroy (Senior Boys) and Taras Beveridge Warick (Junior Boys) medaled at last fall’s provincial track championships and are looking strong.
• Multi-sport athletes Lena Veeman (Intermediate Girls), Emma Storey (Intermediate Girls) Pano McCartney (Intermediate Boys), Jamie Farthing (Junior Boys) and Cooper Loshak (Junior Girls) are running fast in this year’s mini meets.

Previous results

“Our overall participation continued to grow. And Annie Beveridge-Warick (Senior Girls) brought home Bowman’s first provincial XC gold medal.”

Expectations this season

“Make friends, have fun, get fit!”

Bethlehem Stars

Coach: Gerald Lashyn and Al Cooney

Athletes to watch

• Mykhaylo Harmanovskyy — Grade 12. An excellent runner who will compete for a top ten spot in the cities this season.
• Janet Minh — Grade 12. A strong competitor who always gives a 100%.
• Krischel Okkerse — Grade 12. An enthusiastic and dedicated team leader with a terrific attitude.
• Emily Vien — Grade 10. A solid competitor who showed great promise as a rookie last year.
• Everley Halvorson — Grade 9. An excellent new addition to the team who shows some great talent and potential.
• Zalmon Kent — Grade 9. A rookie to the program who has been a great addition to the team.

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Previous results

“2023 was a great year for the team. We hope to pick up from where we left off from last season and continue improving as a team.”

Expectations this season

“A strong team chemistry is developing and all the team members are excited for the upcoming season. We hope to be competitive enough to challenge for some top-10 placings this season.”

Bishop Mahoney Saints

Coach: Cheryl Fenrich, Dan Toogood & Nik Irwin

Athletes to watch

• Nik Irwin — Grade 12. 2nd place in first meet, strong leader, helping to coach the team. Provincials for the last three years.
• Luke Nightingale — Grade 12. Finished Top-10 in last two meets. Provincials last year.
• Sierra Hamel — Grade 11. 2nd place finish; strong competitor. Attended provincials for the past two years.
• Watch for previous provincial competitors and dedicated athletes: Jarrett Cross Child, Julia Minthorp, Bella Vasconez, Riel Shakotko and Ingrid Broten.

Previous results

Tied for 4th in city championships.

Expectations this season

“We have a strong team of leaders and Top-10 finishers. Our Grade 11 and 12s have shown tremendous growth and leadership. We have high expectations to finish in a better standing than last season. We have a strong group of Grade 9 and 10 runners who will keep our program thriving for the upcoming seasons.”

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Centennial Chargers

Coach: Tyler Friesen

Athletes to watch

Last year’s provincial finalists: Sofia Murrieta (Grade 10), Brian Chang (Grade 10), Adrianna Dixon Grade 11) and Julianna Chute (Grade 11).

Previous results

Tied for 4th in city championships.

Expectations this season

“Our team features strong leaders that are helping our young team grow and compete. We hope to improve on last year’s results.”

École canadienne-française Patriotes

Coach: Miguel Rua

Athletes to watch

“Last year’s runners are likely to return mid-season due to various extra-curricular commitments. We are currently recruiting additional runners to our team.”

Expectations this season

“For our returning runners, the focus will be to work on maintaining solid pace throughout the later stages of any given race. We want our new runners to have fun while focusing on endurance and consistency.”

E.D. Feehan Trojans

Coach: Ruby Stefan

Previous results

“Two runners competed.”

Expectations this season

“Our E.D. Feehan cross-country team is small but mighty. We currently have our one and only outstanding cross country athlete Sofiia Maiier. Soffia is currently in grade 12 and a key member of our Feehan school community. This is Sofiia’s first year running cross country and we are all excited to watch her find success this season!”

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Evan Hardy Souls

Coach: Jeff Colquhoun

Athletes to watch

“This season the Souls are looking for Arnold Whittet in his final year to be a solid competitor. He is a multiple sport athlete with solid goals and aspirations. Lily Chow will be returning and competing at the senior level this year. Drive and desire are solid characteristics that Lily possesses.”

Previous results

“The 2023 season was a solid season for developing stronger team chemistry and individual skills.”

Expectations this season

“Look for the Souls to show solid representation.”

Holy Cross Crusaders

Coach: Chris Malin

Athletes to watch

• Marco Trejo Monroy — Grade 9. Well accomplished club runner.
• Emma D’Souza — Grade 10. Top-15 finisher in the 2023 season.
• Natasha Limin — Grade 11. Top-15 finisher in the 2023 season.
• Edie Jardine — Grade 11. Finished in the Top-5 in junior girls last year.
• Jersey Lange — Grade 11. Multiple city medals won during the 2024 track and field season.

Previous results

2nd in city championship.

Expectations this season

“We hope to have a competitive cross country season filled with fun and positivity. We are hoping to build off last year’s growth and be in the running for a city championship. But more importantly, we hope to come together as a team, and build fitness and confidence in true Crusaders fashion. All the best to all the other athletes and schools competing this year.”

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Marion Graham Falcons

Coach: Julene Hillis

Athletes to watch

• Lauren Russell — Grade 10. Silver medalist from 2023 city championships.
• Sabrina Dykstra — Grade 11. Bronze medalist from 2023 city championships.
• Abbey Zimmer (Grade 10), Deklen Mitchell (Grade 11), and Isaac Zimmer (Grade 12) all finished Top-10 last year.

Previous results

“Tied for 2nd at city championships.”

Expectations this season

“Top-5 at city championships.”

Athletes compete at the Saskatoon high school cross country city championships on October 4, 2023 in Saskatoon. Photo by Victor Pankratz.

St. Joseph Guardians

Coach: Vicky Neufeld & Gillian Fedak

Athletes to watch

Boys

• Kolby Mase — Grade 12. Team leader, shares and models hard work, commitment and dedication to the team.
• Preston Dodge — Grade 12. Had an excellent Grade 11 year, with a silver medal finish at cities and 5th at provincials. He is also a gold medalist track star.
• Will Sawchuk — Grade 11. An incredible new addition to the team. Track star winning five gold medals last season, a marathon runner and currently playing on the senior boys soccer team. Looking to take home gold for cities and provincial cross country team.
• Iverson Vaye — Grade 12. A dedicated runner with impressive grit. He is an exciting new addition to the team.
• Dane Treimans — Grade 10. Natural runner who possesses both talent & heart.
• Nathan Perez — Grade 10. Has shown himself to be a solid runner who placed very well in his first meet of the season.