Cross-country runners gathered at Rosser Community Friendship Park for a historic event, marking the first time the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association (MHSAA) Zone V Cross Country Zones were held in this picturesque setting.
With its diverse terrain, the park offered an ideal mix of challenges — rolling hills tested endurance while winding trails demanded focus and agility.
Competitors faced distances tailored to their divisions. Senior boys tackled a five-kilometre trail, while senior girls and junior varsity boys raced over 4 km. Junior varsity girls faced their own challenge with a shorter three-kilometre course.
In the junior girls’ division, Warren Collegiate Institute (WCI) claimed the divisional banner. WCI’s Mackenzie Boonstra crossed the finish line first in 14:10.67, followed closely by teammate Everly Sherry in 14:12.58. Morgan Conrad of Collège Stonewall Collegiate (CSC) placed third with a time of 14:40.47.
WCI’s junior boys also earned their divisional banner with an impressive showing. Thoren Corbett led the pack, finishing first in 16:48.84, followed by teammates Oliver Fleury (17:12.77) and Charlie Beachell (18:30.69).
The senior girls’ division showcased exceptional talent, with CSC capturing the banner. Lucy Hoff led her team to victory, finishing first in 18:09.09. WCI’s Maria Riddell followed in 18:55.08, and Kiera Schutz, also of WCI, placed third in 19:25.03.
In the senior boys’ division, CSC was once again victorious. Dylan Fox led the charge, finishing first in 19:32.42. Teammate Ashley Conrad contributed significantly to the team’s success (no time available), while Aaron Baril of Fisher Branch Collegiate rounded out the top three (no time available).
Qualifying runners advanced to join more than 2,000 student-athletes at the MHSAA provincial championship at Chris McCubbin Trail in Winnipeg’s Kil-Cona Park on Oct. 8. While provincial results were not available at press time, the dedication shown by all competitors highlighted the spirit of sportsmanship and community that events like these bring to high school athletics across Manitoba.
