Post by observer on Sept 24, 2004 11:19:01 GMT -5
Harriers and Harriette’s,
I would like to convey the most sincere apologies for the delay in writing this report. Any excuses I could provide would wilt in light of the damage I have caused to our salivating CIS fans wanting to place early bets on the CIS champs in November.
Once again, I would like to provide a disclaimer: my predictions are only as good as the info I have. If any individuals from Calgary, Queen’s, Quebec or AUs (other than Dal) have any beefs, you can blame the inaccuracies on lack of information. Instead of lodging a complaint, send me some info on the teams (m_mcinnes@yahoo.com).
Calgary Dinos: Last year’s CIS champs were an exciting affair with Calgary taking the surprise team title over Queen’s. As far as I know, Calgary has a full roster back, and has to be the heavy favorite to repeat. They scored a meager 78 points and had their 5th in by #32. All of these young lasses had fine indoor season’s (4x800 gold), thus I anticipate an overall improvement in 2004. It would not surprise me to see 4 Dinos as All Canadians led by Shannon Slater (3rd 2003) who will contend for the title.
Dalhousie Tigers: The Tigers, led by the fearless front running (coach) Dan Hennigar and the ageless assistant (he coached my dad!) Al Yarr, will improve on their bronze from last year, and may in fact contend for gold if they can find a dependable 5th. They may have the top end talent that the Dinos have, but thus far lack the depth. Ashworth (2nd 2003) and Maclean are certain title contenders, while Forward and Burn won’t be far behind. Me thinks the re-opening of Point Pleasant Park coupled with the inspiring presence of Jeff ‘Marc Croghan” Gorman on the trails will produce a dark horse 5th and make the race for 1st with the Dinos closer than last year’s.
Western Mustangs: The Mustang’s 5th place showing from 2003 can only improve as they return their top 5 from last year including Shannon Gerrie (5th 2003). They demonstrated impressive depth at McGill with a 20s 1-5 split over 4k. If they pack them in behind title contender Gerrie at CIs, there’s no telling how high they could place.
Guelph Gryphons: Every year I get excited about the Gryphon women as they seem to import dozens of new rookies and return spades of top end runners, but they never seem to be able to reach up and grab the orb. Perhaps this year, with National Marathon Championship Bronze Medallist (2:48) Kristena Rody’s veteran savvy leading the squad, they will ascend beyond the middling teams of the CIS and join the Gryphon men on the podium.
Victoria Vikes: What can I say about the Vikes? They placed 4th last year, and will likely place anywhere from 2nd to 6th this year. They will probably have 10 girls run super fast at Sundodger/ Stanford, be ranked first by the coaches based on those results and never come within a minute of those times again…. I’m dying for info on the Vikes here! Only their maddening consistency keeps them this high in the rankings.
Manitoba Bisons: Fear the Bisons. Lisa Whalen (2:51 1000m indoors) ran as the team’s 5th at the Ron Pynn Invite. How much eligibility can Tremblath and Whalen possibly have left? They’re probably the only women left around against whom (or with?) I competed in ’99!
Toronto Blues: It’s a testament to the depth of the CIS that the Blues, who won the Don Mill’s Invite (Varsity Teams) without several of their potential top 7 are ranked 7th. They lose their top 2 from last year including surprise 4th placer Sandy Wells, however, they have a strong core of 20-30th place-type CIS runners including the triple-S threat Sidoryk, Steele, and Stillman. Several untested entities, including ROY candidate Liz Snyder might put a glimmer of hope into coach Ristuccia’s eye when he contemplates recapturing the title his team lost last year.
Alberta Pandas: The Pandas were a solid 8th last year, and barring any unexpected changes this is where they shall remain!
Windsor Lancers: A surprisingly strong 2003 campaign was topped off with a 10th place finish at CIS. The Lancers will be a better team with the additions of rookies Jackie Mallette (4:38 1500) and Danya Pidhoresky (10:26 300m). The return of front running Leigh-T Tynan (23rd 2003) and Mamma Mac-Macchione (32nd 2003) means they have new blood as well as All-Canuck contenders.
Queen’s Golden Gaels: Well, they won’t be the scintillating title contenders of last year who were led by the fearsome, yet sadly departed 2 pronged attack of Wightman and Barrington. However, they have a serviceable group of sub 20 minute 5k runners led by Aasen and the Cummings sisters.
Honorable Mention: With a furrowed brow, and many a mile under foot any of these teams could surprise and crack the top 10: McMaster, Laurentian, McGill, and St FX. If any other team is a contender it’s news to me.
Individuals: The individual race will be an exciting one. The departure of multiple time individual champion Beth Wigthman opens up the race to a number of contenders. Last year’s 2nd and 3rd place runners Ashworth (Dal) and Slater (Cal) have to be the favorites. Other dangerous runners to look out for include Darolyn Tremblath (Man), Leila Angrand (8th 2003) and Leanna MacLean (Dal). Watch out for dark horse Erin McLean of St FX—coach Chisolm rarely lets a year go by without sneaking some unknown runner into the top 10.
PS my sleeper pick for the Men’s side: Dylan ‘can’t spell’ Ma
I would like to convey the most sincere apologies for the delay in writing this report. Any excuses I could provide would wilt in light of the damage I have caused to our salivating CIS fans wanting to place early bets on the CIS champs in November.
Once again, I would like to provide a disclaimer: my predictions are only as good as the info I have. If any individuals from Calgary, Queen’s, Quebec or AUs (other than Dal) have any beefs, you can blame the inaccuracies on lack of information. Instead of lodging a complaint, send me some info on the teams (m_mcinnes@yahoo.com).
Calgary Dinos: Last year’s CIS champs were an exciting affair with Calgary taking the surprise team title over Queen’s. As far as I know, Calgary has a full roster back, and has to be the heavy favorite to repeat. They scored a meager 78 points and had their 5th in by #32. All of these young lasses had fine indoor season’s (4x800 gold), thus I anticipate an overall improvement in 2004. It would not surprise me to see 4 Dinos as All Canadians led by Shannon Slater (3rd 2003) who will contend for the title.
Dalhousie Tigers: The Tigers, led by the fearless front running (coach) Dan Hennigar and the ageless assistant (he coached my dad!) Al Yarr, will improve on their bronze from last year, and may in fact contend for gold if they can find a dependable 5th. They may have the top end talent that the Dinos have, but thus far lack the depth. Ashworth (2nd 2003) and Maclean are certain title contenders, while Forward and Burn won’t be far behind. Me thinks the re-opening of Point Pleasant Park coupled with the inspiring presence of Jeff ‘Marc Croghan” Gorman on the trails will produce a dark horse 5th and make the race for 1st with the Dinos closer than last year’s.
Western Mustangs: The Mustang’s 5th place showing from 2003 can only improve as they return their top 5 from last year including Shannon Gerrie (5th 2003). They demonstrated impressive depth at McGill with a 20s 1-5 split over 4k. If they pack them in behind title contender Gerrie at CIs, there’s no telling how high they could place.
Guelph Gryphons: Every year I get excited about the Gryphon women as they seem to import dozens of new rookies and return spades of top end runners, but they never seem to be able to reach up and grab the orb. Perhaps this year, with National Marathon Championship Bronze Medallist (2:48) Kristena Rody’s veteran savvy leading the squad, they will ascend beyond the middling teams of the CIS and join the Gryphon men on the podium.
Victoria Vikes: What can I say about the Vikes? They placed 4th last year, and will likely place anywhere from 2nd to 6th this year. They will probably have 10 girls run super fast at Sundodger/ Stanford, be ranked first by the coaches based on those results and never come within a minute of those times again…. I’m dying for info on the Vikes here! Only their maddening consistency keeps them this high in the rankings.
Manitoba Bisons: Fear the Bisons. Lisa Whalen (2:51 1000m indoors) ran as the team’s 5th at the Ron Pynn Invite. How much eligibility can Tremblath and Whalen possibly have left? They’re probably the only women left around against whom (or with?) I competed in ’99!
Toronto Blues: It’s a testament to the depth of the CIS that the Blues, who won the Don Mill’s Invite (Varsity Teams) without several of their potential top 7 are ranked 7th. They lose their top 2 from last year including surprise 4th placer Sandy Wells, however, they have a strong core of 20-30th place-type CIS runners including the triple-S threat Sidoryk, Steele, and Stillman. Several untested entities, including ROY candidate Liz Snyder might put a glimmer of hope into coach Ristuccia’s eye when he contemplates recapturing the title his team lost last year.
Alberta Pandas: The Pandas were a solid 8th last year, and barring any unexpected changes this is where they shall remain!
Windsor Lancers: A surprisingly strong 2003 campaign was topped off with a 10th place finish at CIS. The Lancers will be a better team with the additions of rookies Jackie Mallette (4:38 1500) and Danya Pidhoresky (10:26 300m). The return of front running Leigh-T Tynan (23rd 2003) and Mamma Mac-Macchione (32nd 2003) means they have new blood as well as All-Canuck contenders.
Queen’s Golden Gaels: Well, they won’t be the scintillating title contenders of last year who were led by the fearsome, yet sadly departed 2 pronged attack of Wightman and Barrington. However, they have a serviceable group of sub 20 minute 5k runners led by Aasen and the Cummings sisters.
Honorable Mention: With a furrowed brow, and many a mile under foot any of these teams could surprise and crack the top 10: McMaster, Laurentian, McGill, and St FX. If any other team is a contender it’s news to me.
Individuals: The individual race will be an exciting one. The departure of multiple time individual champion Beth Wigthman opens up the race to a number of contenders. Last year’s 2nd and 3rd place runners Ashworth (Dal) and Slater (Cal) have to be the favorites. Other dangerous runners to look out for include Darolyn Tremblath (Man), Leila Angrand (8th 2003) and Leanna MacLean (Dal). Watch out for dark horse Erin McLean of St FX—coach Chisolm rarely lets a year go by without sneaking some unknown runner into the top 10.
PS my sleeper pick for the Men’s side: Dylan ‘can’t spell’ Ma